Interpretation of Multiracial Status - Research Paper Example

 Interpretation of Multiracial Status Purpose The purpose of this assignment is to review a journal based on impact of multiracial status. In certain scenario it is observed that multiracial individuals closely associate themselves with respective racial identity. The journal encompasses some real-time conversations with individuals belonging to distinct race. This assignment shall interpret the concept of multiracial status in context of psychological well-being and social engagement. The study on multiple races also enables one to determine its impact on the social world. In this journal, there would be certain concepts, which shall be analyzed in accordance to four frames of colorblind racism demonstrated by Bonilla-Silva. These frames can be denoted as liberalism, racism minimization, cultural racism and naturalization. The liberalism frame indicates that markets are wide, without any form of discrimination. On the other hand, naturalization aspect states individuals segregate themselves naturally in relation to different racial groups. The cultural racism is another frame which describes colorblind racism. According to this frame, minority group gets indulged into any kind of self-defeating behavior. Racism minimization highlights another perspective of race-related consequences (Bonilla-Silva, 2014). As per this frame, racism is eradicated completely from the society. In the research study, it has been perceived that racial groups are a part of complex social category. Questions at Issue The aspect of colorblindness regulates societal view about racism. In modern scenario, there are incidents where multiracial identity can be correlated with colorblindness of racism. On the other hand, this kind of racial identity also influences psychological and social factors. This statement can be contradicted through analyzing information presented in the journal article. The concept of racial discrimination in past years was different from that of existing scenario. In current context, discrimination might be based on status symbol rather than distinction between racial groups. The primary question undertaken in the study is there are alternative treatments which can effectively deal with such racial discrimination. In American society it was assumed that racial discrimination is a natural phenomenon. This eventually led to segregation of Whites from Blacks, rather than focusing on development of a multiracial community. The pattern of ‘naturalization’ as given by Bonilla-Silva clearly indicates that people assumed residential or racial segregation. However, the journal article outlines a different perspective where racial identity is not really a governing factor when it comes to social behavior, rather status symbol should be given more importance. In America, whites’ preference towards white people was a general matter, which was something to be considered beyond race. The concept of colorblindness can be considered as a sociological term that can be correlated with racial characteristics. This characteristic has been well represented in the journal article where there is no such evidence about racial data. Assumptions Bonilla-Silva assumes that there are four main patterns of colorblind racism. The authors have perceived colorblindness to be a positive element which reduces level of damage caused to the society. This concept of colorblindness is harmful for the society since it neglects the approach of resolving conflicts based on racism. On the other hand, colorblindness is not a medium to bridge the gap between minority section and superior racial group. It seems to create misunderstandings between community members. The societal evidences presented in the article are inclined towards multiracial identity differences. These multiracial individuals are aware about the fact that their social well-being is certainly affected by more than one racial characteristic. The multiracial identity as per the article has been interpreted in a different manner by multiracial individuals. These social evidences can be associated with two patterns of colorblindness outlined by Bonilla-Silva. The first pattern describes biologization of culture, where racial inequality is associated with cultural differences. In earlier years, it was assumed that disparities mainly exist due to biological differences but currently it has shifted towards cultural gap. There is certain percentage of “blacks” who have established a strong position in the American society, whereas others have not achieved the set mark. This concept can be linked with social evidences of the chosen article, where individuals possessing multiracial identity had acquired high status symbol compared to those constituting only a particular racial identity. The low-status racial group members have gained importance in the society after becoming a part of multiracial group. Hence the multiracial approach is another unique way to resolve issues regarding race in the society. The journal article also comprises of a survey where children were segregated based on racial groups. It was predicted that children who could associate themselves with more than one racial group, performed well in a classroom compared to those who were inclined towards a particular group based on income status. Hence these evidences clearly indicate that “racism” is not given much importance in the society, as demonstrated by Bonilla-Silva in their fourth pattern of colorblindness. The social and psychological well-being of an individual is dependent on whether they relate with multiple groups or stay aligned with cultural values of a single group. Consequences and implications The article findings are centered towards multiracial identity and its benefits to be explored in future years. It can be stated that social and psychological benefits are associated with adoption of multiracial identity. Those individuals, who are confident about their social identity and prefer to deviate from traditional racial categories, are expected to better adjust to a given scenario. The social engagement and psychological well-being can be improved for multiracial individuals. In general context, colorblindness pattern was assumed as a mechanism to give a new dimension to racism. The definition of racism has changed over the years and now people are more concerned about their status in the society. Multiracial society would transform the entire layout of the world, with no such cultural differences. One of the colorblindness patterns also focuses on minimizing racism. In the last few decades, racism was a highly prominent factor prevalent in the society. However, in modern scenario, racism is no longer an alarming issue, since people have started to adopt characteristics of multicultural society. The factor that racism is no longer an area of concern would help to develop a multiracial environment, where individuals would encompass characteristics of a specific cultural group along with values or norms of other social groups (Binning, Unzueta, Huo and Molina, 2009). For instance, a desirable percentage of population in U.S., are mainly half-Blacks and half-Whites. An inclusive multiracial democracy can be developed when individuals are encouraged for social engagement with other racial groups. The societal progress can be influenced in a positive way when colorblindness is viewed as a phenomenon to eliminate racial differences rather than avoiding issues resulting due to multiple races. To be more precise, social well-being is affected when racial discrimination is given more importance compared to skills or competencies of an individual. Information The racial discrimination is considered as a prominent issue since many years. Many Egyptians have stated that social changes have given them a status in the community. They never expected their people would become a known a social figure (The Urban Politico, 2015). In American history also there has been certain facts regarding social innovation such as 1930s sit-down strikes, 1880s farmer cooperatives, 1960s marches and boycotts, etc. There shall be significant racial reform to be witnessed in America in future years. During the period 2020 to 2060, non-hispanic whites would be a minority percentage in the country (Abagond, 2015). This population shall be more focused on describing specific characteristics of “white’s”. In future years, majority Latinos shall become Americanized and simultaneously mainstream culture of the nation would be considered as highly Latinized (Openleft, 2015). This aspect has been described in the journal article, where multiracial identity would be given importance rather than individuals holding values of a specific culture. A multiracial category is expected to consider racial or ethnic identity, be well aligned with characteristics of multiple groups and avoid any form of monoracial categorization. Concepts The four frames of colorblindness describe different scenarios when racial identity either becomes a crucial part or is simply ignored. On the basis of these frames, it can be stated that colorblindness should be viewed as a platform which initiates multicultural identities. The article which was analyzed compared social engagement and psychological well-being with different cultural values adopted by a person. A multiracial democracy can be developed only when individuals explore the benefits closely knitted with cultural differences. This paper has reflected upon the positive aspects of colorblindness. The racial disparity is assumed to be based upon biological differences, but in current scenario, it can be associated with variance in social status. In overall context, the fourth framework of ‘racism minimization’ would be profitable in long-run. An inclusive multiracial democracy can be formed only when individuals explore opportunities related to working with diverse social groups. The pattern of abstract liberalism encompasses various ideas which are linked with economic and political liberalism. Equal opportunity can be considered as an essential component of abstract liberalism. These liberal principles reflect upon segregated neighborhoods, providing similar opportunities like whites. Naturalization is a significant frame which eradicates the concept of racial phenomena and indicates that societal differences are a natural occurrence. Diversity in culture is a key factor which triggers racism. The variation in cultural components segregates one social group from another. However, with transformations in the society, racism is no longer an alarming issue. Though some geographical regions are still subjected to racism but there is even wide range of job opportunities. Conclusion As per this analytical study, the societal evidence encompassed within selected journal article can be effectively correlated with two significant patterns of Bonilla-Silva. The future is based on framing a multicultural society where individuals share values of different cultural societies. As per the findings of chosen journal article, a person would perform well only when one associate themselves with multiple societal groups. This study clearly outlines the positive aspect related to colorblindness. References Abagond. (2015). The future of race in the US. Retrieved from: https://abagond.wordpress.com/. Binning, K. R., Unzueta, M. M., Huo, Y. J. and Molina, L. E. (2009). The interpretation of multiracial status and its relation to social engagement and psychological well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 65 (1), 35-49. Bonilla-Silva, E. (2014). Racism without racists: color-blind racism and racial inequality in contemporary America. 4th ed. Boulder, CO: Rowman and Littlefield. Openleft. (2015). Colorblind Racism: The missing framework for the missing teachable moment. Retrieved from: http://www.openleft.com/ . The Urban Politico. (2015). Ben Carson is a bigot. Retrieved from: http://www.theurbanpolitico.com/ . Read More