Functionalist Views on Race and Ethnicity

What makes them functionalists is the belief that everything in society serves a purpose, even racial inequality. They argue that it must have been of benefit to society in some fashion for racism to last so long. To some of these functionalists, racism functions simply to benefit the dominant group, because it provides means by which to justify its unfair treatment of others. For instance, slave owners used to justify slavery by saying that Black people were inferior. People may similarly offer explanations for racial inequality in employment, housing, and crime that blame minority groups. 

Racism, on the other hand, creates a sense of bonding among the people of the dominant group. For instance, certain neighborhood covenants to keep certain people out strengthen a sense of togetherness among the dominant group. However, racism also has detrimental effects on society. It denies a fair opportunity for growth to talents of minority groups and excessively constraints governments in terms of expending money and time in keeping the groups apart. Prior to the Civil Rights Movement in America, huge resources were expended in maintaining segregated schools. Racism causes immense problems in other areas such as mass incarceration.

Conflict Theorists’ Views on Race and Ethnicity

Conflict theorists view society as a battleground for contesting powerful versus powerless groups: they contend that racial inequality exists to suggest that the dominant group wishes to retain power. For much of history, laws and policies have upheld white dominance. After the Civil War, for instance, Black Codes and Jim Crow laws further curtailed Black people's rights. For example, present-day voting laws often hinder minorities from casting their votes. 

Conflict theory is also useful in commenting on situations of discrimination in the workplace. This means that Vivien Thomas, a Black medical worker who helped develop many important surgical procedures, was regarded as nothing more than a janitor. So did discrimination prevail over intelligence and skill at NASA for their Black women employees. 

Feminist sociologists contributed intersection theory, claiming that race, gender, and class collectively shape an individual's experience of inequality. A rich white woman may encounter sexism, but a poor Asian woman will almost certainly experience both sexism and racism. Conflict theory explains how the various forms of discrimination converge.

Symbolic Interactionist Views on Race and Ethnicity

The symbolic interactionists try to see and understand how a person experiences and interacts with the concept called race in their daily interactions. Racism, according to them, arises from learned notions rather than an effect of race itself. Racial prejudice is built, according to Herbert Blumer, from conversation and social interaction. False beliefs about a group may be formed if one's entire experience with that group is through stereotypes propagated by the media. 

Another essential concept is double consciousness presented by W.E.B. Du Bois. He noted that Black persons feel as if they live with two identities: one identity is as an individual, the second is as a person judged by society on his race. 

Race is redefined over the years. For example, Irish and Italian immigrants were classified as groups and not recognized as whites in the past. Over the years, the race categories in the U.S. Census have changed, thereby illustrating that race is merely a social concept. Studies argue that racism is taught; hence, prejudice is not natural to a human being but a learned trait by society.

Functionalism

Functionalism is the contention that all sectors in society have some function that aids in preserving stability. From a functionalist standpoint, racial and ethnic inequalities have long assisted in keeping society at equilibrium by aiding in upholding social solidarity within dominant groups. For instance, discriminatory procedures may create solidarity amongst the majority because they group themselves together in an effort to shut out minority groups. This point of view also identifies dysfunctions, for example, under-exploitation of talent in minority groups and expenses incurred by society to preserve racial boundaries. One typical example is the existence of gated communities which, officially or unofficially, restrict entry into certain racial groups, thereby ensuring social homogeneity.

Conflict Theory

Conflict theory emphasizes power disparities and tension between dominant and subordinate groups. It argues that racial inequality is due to the dominant group's necessity to maintain power and authority over resources. It is historically exemplified in policies and legislation meant to disenfranchise racial minorities, such as Jim Crow laws in the US. Currently, the theory appears in practices like gerrymandering, whereby electoral district boundaries are manipulated in order to curb the voting power of minority groups and hence keep political power.

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism examines how race and ethnicity are constructed and interpreted through everyday life and symbols. The social definitions and interpretation of race by society influence individual identity and social life, as derived from the theory. For example, racial terms and stereotypes communicated through media and interpersonal communications can condition how one views themselves and others, leading to internalized prejudices or bias. An example is when individuals think that a person does something or performs something based on racial stereotypes without any other information, which affects social relationships and opportunities.

These views together offer an integrated understanding of the intricacies of racial inequality, emphasizing interactions among societal institutions, power relations, and personal circumstances.