Racism on College Campuses
Abstract:
The main aim of this research paper is to directly observe and examine the way American College students perceive the notion of race on college campuses and how they believe it can be used to a persons advantage or disadvantage. I used two different kinds of research in this paper; interviews among 4 students from 4 different universities across the United States to provide a deep and personal understanding of the topic and by surveying in an open-ended questionnaire 10 American students from Auburn University in Alabama to provide a more general and statistical analysis. These two methods supported my thesis with strong evidence and background information. I found that all the interviewees unanimously believed in the figurative use of “the ‘race card’” and that people who are aware of it are able to consciously manipulate situations and/or people in a manor that is best suited for them.
Background Information:
The term ‘race card' refers to somebody who exploits a racial prejudice against another person for some type of advantage, and it appears in social commentary as a taken-for-granted term. Its use as an unquestioned general descriptor overlooks how these moments of scandalous social interactions work to replay and reinforce longstanding ideas of national belonging and so-called racial truths. Despite the tremendous strides resulting from civil rights legislation, racism remains one of the most pressing social problems in the US (Jackson & Solis, 1995).
No setting is immune and college campuses have found themselves embroiled in the discussion. Racial issues are significant in all aspects of campus life including admissions, athletics, and social interaction. General experiments and analysis of ‘the ‘race card’’ are relatively low key to non – existent. In the 21st century, society has moved from being blatantly racist to being afraid to make any sort of “politically incorrect” comment. Focusing on the concept of modern racism or "new racism,"
The main aim of this research paper is to directly observe and examine the way American College students perceive the notion of race on college campuses and how they believe it can be used to a persons advantage or disadvantage. I used two different kinds of research in this paper; interviews among 4 students from 4 different universities across the United States to provide a deep and personal understanding of the topic and by surveying in an open-ended questionnaire 10 American students from Auburn University in Alabama to provide a more general and statistical analysis. These two methods supported my thesis with strong evidence and background information. I found that all the interviewees unanimously believed in the figurative use of “the ‘race card’” and that people who are aware of it are able to consciously manipulate situations and/or people in a manor that is best suited for them.
Background Information:
The term ‘race card' refers to somebody who exploits a racial prejudice against another person for some type of advantage, and it appears in social commentary as a taken-for-granted term. Its use as an unquestioned general descriptor overlooks how these moments of scandalous social interactions work to replay and reinforce longstanding ideas of national belonging and so-called racial truths. Despite the tremendous strides resulting from civil rights legislation, racism remains one of the most pressing social problems in the US (Jackson & Solis, 1995).
No setting is immune and college campuses have found themselves embroiled in the discussion. Racial issues are significant in all aspects of campus life including admissions, athletics, and social interaction. General experiments and analysis of ‘the ‘race card’’ are relatively low key to non – existent. In the 21st century, society has moved from being blatantly racist to being afraid to make any sort of “politically incorrect” comment. Focusing on the concept of modern racism or "new racism,"
References: 1) Jackson, Sandra, and José Solís. Beyond Comfort Zones in Multiculturalism: Confronting the Politics of Privilege. Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey, 1995. Print. 2) Kent, Noel Jacob. (1996). Three-Fifths Theology: Challenging Racism in American Christianity. Journal of Religious Thought. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. 3) "Caught Between Barack and a Hard Place?" Controversial Cards. Web. 1 Apr. 2011. . 6) Stahura, Kurt, and M. Greenwood. Race Issues Within Intercollegiate Athletics: African American Versus Caucasian American Athletes’ Perceptions of Athletic, Academic, and Community Social Climate (Sociocultural). 2001. Print. 7) Ervin, Kelly S. "Multiculturalism, Diversity, and African American College Students: Receptive, yet Skeptical?." Journal of Black Studies 31.6 (2001): 764. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 12 Apr. 2011 Further Reading: 1) Marcus, A., Mullins, L. C., Brackett, K. P., Tang, Z., Allen, A. M., & Pruett, D. W. (2003). PERCEPTIONS OF RACISM ON CAMPUS. College Student Journal, 37(4), 611-626. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. 2) Cunningham, George B., and Michael Sagas. "ACCESS DISCRIMINATION IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS." Journal of Sport & Social Issues 29.2 (2005): 148-163. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. 3) Haney López, Ian F. "Post-Racial Racism: Racial Stratification and Mass Incarceration in the Age of Obama." California Law Review. 1023-1073. California Law Review, 2010. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 2011. 4) RICHMAN, ASHLEE. "THE END OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING?." DePaul Journal for Social Justice 4.1 (2010): 61-96. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 2011. 5) Bucolo, Donald O., and Ellen S. Cohn. "Playing the race card: Making race salient in defence opening and closing statements." Legal & Criminological Psychology 15.2 (2010): 293-303. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 2011.