Paper Summary:

This paper examines the impact of racism on the emotional well-being of African-Americans, particularly those in high school and those who participate in sports. First, the paper discusses racism and explains daily incidences of it, including smaller ones which can be microstressors. Then, the paper addresses when stereotypes become racism. Additionally, the paper analyzes the concept of in-groups and out-groups, and how this contributes to prejudice. The dual messages of equality and inequality that are prevalent in American society are also considered as they apply to racism. The paper concludes by stating that as long as ethnic identity remains a source of confusion, shame, and hostility, the growth of the individual is thwarted.

From the Paper:

"During school days life expands to include many new contrasts. As part of natural development, classmates begin to reinforce the idea of group differences and how to become a member of the in-group (Sandhu & Aspy, 1997). Examples of an in-group include the athletes, or the nerds. Part of the reason that many black students become athletes is to gain the popularity. Another reason is that they feel as though society expects black people to play sports and to excel at them. People tend to feel more comfortable among members of their group, and there are many black people who are athletes. Because of this feeling of group identification, people tend to believe that the group to which they belong is the best group. The separation begins when one seeks to boost the individual group's standings by trashing members of other groups. Being different then becomes associated with being bad in the mind (Canada & the World Backgrounder, 1996), and racism can become ingrained (Glover, 1999).
In the stage of adulthood, the person has learned to generalize about other groups. For example, we might find ourselves accepting the notion that all Chinese students are whizzes at math and science, or that all blacks are great dancers and athletes..."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Canada & the World Backgrounder. 1996. A learned behavior. Canada & the World Backgrounder, 61(6): 4.
• Dobbins, J.E. & Skillings, J.H. 2000. Racism as a clinical syndrome. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 70(1).
• Franklin, A.J. & Boyd-Franklin, N. 2000. Invisibility syndrome: a clinical model of the effects of racism on African American males. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 70(1).
• Gibbs, J.T. 1996. Race and Justice: Rodney Kind and O.J. Simpson in a House Divided. Jossey-Bass.
• Glover, R.J. 1999. Using moral and epistemological reasoning as predictors of prejudice. Journal of Social Psychology, 134(5).

Visitors who viewed this Research Paper also liked these:

• Research Paper # 61977 : "Past Prejudice and Life Satisfaction"
• Essay # 27292 : "Locus of Control and Life Satisfaction of Caretakers of Alzheimer's Patients"
• Research Paper # 62925 : "Leisure and Life Satisfaction"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: