Anatomy Of Racial Inequality By Glenn C. Loury: Summary
Adam Goodman
Response: 10/29
In his book, The Anatomy of Racial Inequality, Glenn C. Loury avoids discussing racial discrimination, which we have often focused on in class. Instead, Loury chooses to focus on “racial stigma.” Loury claims this stigma, and the associations and stereotypes that are linked with it, appear to sustain systematic racial inequality in America. Unlike discrimination, The effects of racial stigma are more subtle and are deeply embedded in the historical narrative of the nation. As Loury notes, America is often said to be a “melting pot,” a land of immigrants where everyone’s culture contributes to the whole of society. However the taint of slavery is what makes black americans unique in their inability to fit the melting pot narrative due to their status as “others.” …show more content…
A study of ethnic groups in Los Angeles, conducted by sociologist Camille Charles analyzed data from a survey designed to measure preferences among various groups for the ethnic and racial composition of a respondent’s ideal neighborhood. She found that 40 percent of Asians, 32 percent of Latinos, and 19 percent of whites envisioned their ideal neighborhood, in which they would feel most comfortable, as one containing no blacks. She even found that immigrants were much more averse to living near blacks than native-born Asians and Latinos. What Charles’ study establishes (although more data may be needed) is the racial hierarchy that even minorities form when looking at other minorities. I am not sure if the taint of slavery is what drives this, but rather stereotypes about blacks that have persisted long after
Response: 10/29
In his book, The Anatomy of Racial Inequality, Glenn C. Loury avoids discussing racial discrimination, which we have often focused on in class. Instead, Loury chooses to focus on “racial stigma.” Loury claims this stigma, and the associations and stereotypes that are linked with it, appear to sustain systematic racial inequality in America. Unlike discrimination, The effects of racial stigma are more subtle and are deeply embedded in the historical narrative of the nation. As Loury notes, America is often said to be a “melting pot,” a land of immigrants where everyone’s culture contributes to the whole of society. However the taint of slavery is what makes black americans unique in their inability to fit the melting pot narrative due to their status as “others.” …show more content…
A study of ethnic groups in Los Angeles, conducted by sociologist Camille Charles analyzed data from a survey designed to measure preferences among various groups for the ethnic and racial composition of a respondent’s ideal neighborhood. She found that 40 percent of Asians, 32 percent of Latinos, and 19 percent of whites envisioned their ideal neighborhood, in which they would feel most comfortable, as one containing no blacks. She even found that immigrants were much more averse to living near blacks than native-born Asians and Latinos. What Charles’ study establishes (although more data may be needed) is the racial hierarchy that even minorities form when looking at other minorities. I am not sure if the taint of slavery is what drives this, but rather stereotypes about blacks that have persisted long after