Discussion #2

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1) How are racial categories and hierarchies constructed? How have social, cultural, economic, and political institutions created/promoted social categories and racial stratification? Racial categories and hierarchies are constructed through a complex interplay of historical, social, and cultural factors. They are not fixed or inherent, but rather socially constructed concepts that have evolved over time. Social institutions such as education, media, and government play a significant role in creating and promoting these categories. For example, the media often reinforces racial stereotypes and portrays certain racial groups in a negative light. "Assumptions above race become so ingrained that people come to view racial differences as natural" (Flores 2020). The way we understand, describe, and represent race is related to how society is organized, and this can have real and significant problems in terms of social inequality and consequences for things like access to rights and resources. 2) How is ethnicity socially constructed for some? According to the article "Optional Ethnicities...", Waters explains that white Americans have the option to choose between claiming any specific ancestry or to just be "white" or American, but for black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and American Indians, the choice to claim a specific ancestry is often limited or non-existent; their ethnicities are socially enforced, and they are not interchangeable. "The situation is very different for members of racial minorities, whose lives are strongly influenced by their race or national origin" (Ore 2022). These minority groups are deeply rooted in their social experiences and are not easily interchangeable due to societal expectations and historical contexts. White Americans have many options in terms of their ethnic identities, but for minority groups, it is more complicated; they are constantly judged by their actions or the way they act. 3) How does the legal status of immigrants who migrated as young children affect their life chances/opportunities? According to the reading "Learning to be Illegal...", when young children begin to assume adult roles that require legal status as a basis for participation, they begin to suffer and begin to lose great opportunities in their lives. Without legal status, these children may not be able to access education, health care, and employment opportunities. "Undocumented young adults cannot legally work, vote, receive financial aid, or drive in most states, and deportation remains a constant threat" (Ore 2022). Some of them start to work at an early age and begin to assume financial responsibilities in their homes, making them feel apart from society and in limbo between childhood and adulthood. This lack of legal status not only limits their opportunities but also creates a constant sense of uncertainty and fear for their future. "Undocumented young adults are forced to alter earlier plans and reshape their aspirations for the future, and coming to grips with the possibility that their precarious legal circumstances may never change." (Ore 2022).
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