- Explain how sociologists use the black-white dissimilarity index to compare racial diversity between two similarly sized metropolitan areas.
Karl Taeuber created the dissimilarity index as the standard measure of segregation. It assesses the “evenness” of a minority population’s distribution throughout society (Soule, 2006). The measure of dissimilarity is on a scale of 0.00 to 1.00, with a score of 1.00 representing the total segregation of blacks and a score of 0.00 representing total integration. The black-white dissimilarity index is a measure that gives the proportion of all the black population needed to move to reach an even (integrated) residential configuration with the white community, that is a population where each census tract replicates the racial composition of the metropolitan area as a whole.
Sociologists use various indexes of dissimilarity that include white vs. black, white vs. brown, brown vs. black and percent white to compare racial diversity between two similarly sized metropolitan areas. The percent value assigned is the measure of the social interaction of the diverse population comprising of different colors.
- Which is more damaging to minorities – individual or institutional discrimination? Define each, offer an example for each and evidence as to why you consider this to be true.
Institutional discrimination refers to the pattern of unequal treatment by the membership/belonging to a specific group that is built to carry out operations on a daily basis in the society, whether or not consciously intended. Members of certain groups of the society are disadvantaged by the operations of public schools, the criminal justice as well as political and economic institutions. Policymakers, scholars, administrators and the members of the general population have struggled with the adverse effects and significance of racial and ethnic discrimination in the multiethnic, multiracial American population. An example of institutional discrimination denies members of a particular ethnic/race/color group the access to valued services and goods, opportunities and rights that may include voting (Healey, 2013).
Individual discrimination is the conscious behavior of the members of one ethnic/race/gender group that is done to have a differential and harmful effect on the members of separate groups. This type of discrimination takes place when it affects only individuals of a certain ethnic/race group. The examples of kind of groups which members commonly face individual discrimination include blacks or whites, Latinos, homosexuals, women, and others. For example, when a white employer pays a lower salary, to a person of the color, say Latino worker only than is paid to the same qualified white employee for the same work done.
In my opinion, the institutional discrimination is the more damaging that individual discrimination because it involves a large group of the society whom it would be difficult to change. However, both institutional and individual discrimination need to be addressed because they are both associated with adverse effects such as violation of rights.
- Explain the difference between diversity and inclusion. Which is more beneficial to minorities? Why?
Diversity means difference, whereas inclusion means the capacity to include difference. Diversity refers to the who and the what, whereas inclusion entails of the how. Diversity comprises of different types namely diversity of age, political diversity, gender diversity racial or ethnic diversity, diversity of the background, lifecycle diversity, cohort diversity, organizational diversity, class diversity, and educational diversity (Kirby, 2000). The two must coexist in the workplace or in other organizations to ensure success and proper delivery of service.
In my opinion, diversity is more beneficial to minorities because the people feel are appreciated for what they can contribute, and their participation always yields better performance. Diversity allows different diverse groups, whether minority or majority to be given an opportunity to add to a beneficial activity.
References
Healey, J. F. (2013). Diversity and society: Race, ethnicity, and gender. Sage Publications.
Kirby, M. (2000). Sociology in perspective. Heinemann.
Soule, D. C. (Ed.). (2006). Remaking American communities: A reference guide to urban sprawl. U of Nebraska Press.
Carolyn Morgan is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in nursing research paper writing service California.
