Question

How do social institutions affect our understanding of race and racial groups? How do social institutions affect our understanding of race and racial groups? Why are the classifications of race problematic? What examples from your own life can you give of how your race or ethnicity had (1) a positive effect or (2) a negative effect. Why is institutional racism and discrimination more difficult to combat than individual discrimination or racism?

Answer 1

Social institutions such as family, school, and religion, play a major role in socialization by providing knowledge, values, and norms. Within that knowledge are knowledge on race and racial grounds that affects our understanding. Classification of race is problematic because it is often hierarchical- which race is superior to the other and has the potential of discrimination- a group suppressing other groups. Institutional racism means the way in which many aspects and areas of society become driven by racial ideas. It is dangerous as it perpetuates over generation and has potential of making an individual 'racist'. Individuals who face racism and who become 'racist' has less control over their behaviour when institutional racism persist.