I. Specific Hypothesis: Racial bias and double standards.
II. Applicable Sociological Concepts
a.) Theory A: At heart first theory is social-psychological.
i) The assumption that old fashioned racism has simply been replaced by a new and different brand of racism.
ii) Subtle vs blatant prejudice.
iii) Proponents of these theories contend whites' opposition to affirmative action or to voting for a black candidate is due largely to their
negative stereotypes or affect regarding African Americans.
b.) Theory B: Second set of theories called social-structural theory.
i) Maintain that generally individuals identify with their own racial or ethnic group.
ii) That group conflict emerges from competing interest.
iii) Dominant groups develop and propagate ideologies that maintain and even legitimize their higher social status.
iv) Instead of prejudice being irrational it emerges from competition.
c.) Theory C: Third theory is labeled "principled politics".
i) Whites' opposition to liberal racial policies is rooted not in any new racism nor in compete ingroup interest, but rather in race-neutral
values and ideologies such as fairness or individualism.
ii) Empirical and experimental studies have linked whites' racial attitudes to opposition to a wide array of explicitly racial policies including busing, affirmative action, and federal aid.
III. Practical Implications of Racism
a. Implications for public policy are affected by racism and the need for power.
i. To include: political status,
ii. Federal funding,
iii. Education,
iv. policing
b. Implications for employers:
i. It is proposed that racism at work impacts well-being due to the added stress of racism.
ii. It has been found that work conditions such as skill discretion, job demands, and trouble with subordinates lead to psychological
distress and lower levels of job satisfaction and well-being.
iii. Institutional discrimination
iv. Interpersonal prejudice
IV. Evidence
a. Evidence of racial bias in policing.
i. Boston Police Data Shows Widespread Racial Bias in Street Encounters with Civilians.
ii. Michael Brown
iii. Kimani Gray
iv. KendrecMcDade
v. Justice department launches study of racial bias among police results of unconscious bias validated.
b. Evidence of public bias
i. Study finds strong evidence for discriminatory intent behind voter ID laws
ii. Natural Disasters in Black and White: How Racial Cues Influenced Public Response to Hurricane Katrina.
V. Conclusion: The evidence is compelling and the studies are endless. All of the evidence found in the studies have shown that there is
in fact an unconscious bias towards skin color that reach to every level of life from friendship and employment and all the way up the
legal system to the President.