Inequality

For many Americans, particularly in communities of color, personal economies are not improving. Unemployment rates for both African Americans and Latinos are twice the national average; therefore creating an economic disparity higher than ever before. There have been several events throughout history which have served as stepping stones to equal rights for African Americans such as the March on Washington and President Roosevelt’s establishment of the Committee on Fair Employment Practice. Prominent Civil Rights group, NAACP, has declared that “bridging the racial economic inequality requires greater economic opportunity and access… Diversity and inclusion is central and essential to closing the racial economic divide”; which is why last year the group relaunched its consumer program grading private sector industries. The Opportunity and Diversity Report Cards assess diversity and inclusion in areas where job creation and wealth-building opportunities thrive. A report released last November showed Hotel and Resort industries in need of improvement. People of color are underwhelming represented in this sector. In fact, they are exclusively represented in the low-wage low-skilled workforce. In advocacy efforts by NAACP, an online interactive map has been created which highlights diversity among the top hotels and tourism sites nationwide, in hopes people will support these. Over the past few decades, the tool has enabled corporations to create opportunities for minorities to compete in the workplace. “These opportunities not only grow African Americans’ businesses and communities, but also the nation’s economic strength.” Sociologically, this speaks to the idea of raising the nation’s human capital. Providing all people with equal playing grounds, such as education and job opportunities, will better the economy all a whole because each individual is purposeful, useful and necessary in the process. Marginalizing and stratifying citizens only impedes overall economic prosperity and growth.

http://politic365.com/2013/04/17/bridging-racial-economic-inequality-one-industry-at-a-time/

Rayna Tyson. April 19, 2013. 1:26PM

Inequality

Louisville hoped to be the second school to bring two championships home in both Men’s and Women’s tournament basketball in the same season. But the women’s team did not receive the deserved support as their male counterparts. As exciting as it is to watch cars being restored, you’d think more people would like to see one of the greatest basketball coaches in history lead an exceptionally talented team to a championship. In fact, the 2013 NCAA men’s basketball tournament averaged nearly 11 million viewers throughout its coverage; not nearly the number of viewers of the women’s game. In general, people do not give women’s sports the credit or attention it is due—at the high school, college or professional level. The following are some very interesting statistics mentioned: The NBA has a salary cap of $58 million. While the WNBA caps $878,000. The average Division I college men’s basketball coach could pay for an entire WNBA team’s salary and still have around $1 million in play money left over. The average NBA player makes $5.15 million, compared to $72,000 for a WNBA player. The WNBA minimum is $37,260, but the NBA minimum is $473,604. By the time you get to league maximum salaries, things only worsen. The WNBA has a hard cap on maximum salaries of $105,500 while the NBA maximum salary is influenced by a number of variables, including whatever the team cap is for any given year and how long a player has been in the league. Players who have been in the league six years or less can earn up to $14.5 million and the number only goes up from here (excluding endorsements). These numbers suggest a few things: the NBA’s worst player, making the minimum salary, is still worth nearly five times as much as the WNBA’s best player. The NBA’s best, most experienced player is worth 200 times as much as the WNBA’s best player or in reverse, the WNBA player is worth less than one percent of the NBA player. Since the WNBA has around 143 players, a player at the top of the NBA is worth well more than the entire WNBA population.Gender inequalities persist on many levels still to this day. And to the extreme that it is, is unfortunate. One could argue it’s because there is more money in the NBA than the women’s league to reflect and support the players’ salaries but generally why does the population prefer to watch a mediocre man over a talented women perform? Gender inequalities cross-culturally are the most prominent because many nations, like Japan or India, in the world cannot discrimination on the basis of race because 98% of the population belongs to one ethnic group. By default gender is the greatest discriminatory factor globally.

http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/sports/article_d7ab6986-a382-11e2-9247-0019bb2963f4.html

Rayna Tyson. April 12, 2013. 8:25 PM

Inequality

In Ireland, the new Junior Cert will turn school against school and deepen social inequalities in education; as least that’s what their teachers say. Secondary school teachers strongly disagree with the Junior Cert reform plans which they say will create competition between schools and between different subject teachers within schools.  Parents do not know that ultimately the reform means students will no longer be awarded a State certificate for the Junior Cert rather a school certificate and will not face their first State examination at the age of 17 or 18. The problem lies in that it expresses concern the value of certification would depend on public and employer perception of the awarding school. Phase 1 of the new Junior Cycle is due to start in schools in 2014. There will only be three core subjects: English, Irish and maths. Other subjects will be offered in the form of short courses and schools will have autonomy in choosing and delivering them. Yesterday’s delegates were told affluent schools would offer better short courses than schools in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, turning school against school.

This new plan ensures those with the most financial resources will extract the most from the education system. Hardly anything offered in the disadvantaged schools will be able to compete with the offerings at the privilege schools. Kevin Brogan claims students will hold a school certificate that’s “not worth the paper it’s printed on.” This story sociologically perpetuates the idea of classism in a stratified society by the rewards and punishment of privilege verse non privilege; those on top verse those on the bottom and the institutional/ systematic inequality that maintains these polarized positions.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/new-junior-cert-to-deepen-social-inequality-claim-teachers-1.1346459
Rayna Tyson. April 5, 2013. 3:42 pm.

Inequality

In Tanzania, East Africa, there is a deadly rumor that children born without pigment offer some kind of special magic. Some even think through the removal of their limbs or taking of their blood one will be endowed with good luck and fortune; likewise, this belief has led to the murders of dozens of persons with albinism (referred to as albinos). Those who escape death are then sentenced to the disability of a missing limb for the remainder of their lives, not to mention the stark stigma of their appearance. Because of this, those with the genetic disorder (which effects eyesight and skin color) live their lives in constant danger and fear. The Tanzanian attackers see no wrong in the killing of persons with albinism because in Swahili the word for this condition is Zeru meaning “vapor” or “ghost”; therefore, they believe they cannot die seeing as how they are already spirits. Violence against those with albinism has been going on for years but erupted into a public issue in 2008 when reporters became internationally aware. To fight the “deadly prejudices” advocacy organizations in Tanzania and around the world (i.e. Under the Same Sun) argue awareness is the remedy and key to prevention.

From a sociological viewpoint, we’ve talked about the creation of “in groups” and “out groups” being a reason people of the same background attack each other. Furthermore, Africa has a long history of alienating a small certain group of people in hopes of extinguishing them because they do not fit their protocol of what a real African man or woman embodies. Africa’s morals, beliefs, attitudes (norms) are traditionally extremely rigid and inflexible compared to liberal Western or European countries. There is no difference between formal and informal norms; it seems as though every deviance is equally heavily sanctioned. Dr. Sills talked about how countries, in particular poor nations, outcast and perform hate crimes against small groups in distraction of larger issues such as extreme poverty and disease.

http://www.ibtimes.com/deadly-superstition-albino-children-face-discrimination-amputations-murder-east-africa-1115474

Rayna Tyson. March 8, 2013. 12:51 pm.

Inequality

Thousands of families in Britian face the agony of not having their children placed in the secondary school of their choice due to their level of income or economic status. Some parents spend a considerable about of effort and money in changing neighborhoods, paying larger school tuitions and/or attending church to qualify certain schools. The ability of parents to choose their child's school is a great privilege but only the wealthy benefit because they can guarantee their children attend the top pick. As a result of this manipulation of school admissions, Britian has some of the most socially segregrated schools in the developed world.This issue basically perpetuates social stractification in the educational system, which we've previously studied to  DIRECTLY effect one's later life success. Education is directly correlated to class; which can not be separated from other societal factors like race, ethnicity and gender. All of these aspects are intersected and plays a major role in their life journey. The school system is mostly to blame due to their strong incentive to subtle forms of selection in attracting "wealthier brighter pupils." The job of the school system is not to discriminate against CHILDREN on the basis of their parent's wealth but to cultivate all minds and maximize their greatest potential. Admissions should be handled by an impartial body with ginuine intensions.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/01/end-school-places-inequality-impartial-admissions
Rayna Tyson. March 1, 2013. 4:55pm

Inequality

Last October, a 14-year-old girl named Malala Yousafzai was brutally shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in her country of Pakistan. She was shot because of her avid beliefs and outspokenness that women should have the same educational rights worldwide. After an edict that banned girls from attending school, she gained the media’s attention via blogging and was featured in a New York Times documentary. Behaviors of this proportion are worthy of reprimand via harsh punishment (sometimes fatal) in many places around the world. Fortunately, Yousafzai survived the attack to be the youngest person nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and still advocate for women and girls’ education around the world. After the shooting, a $10 million fund was created in Yousafzai’s name by Pakistan’s president as well as other funds granted by other prestigious individuals. The article included startling facts about females and education globally.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, about 63 percent of the 163 million illiterate youth in the world are female. UNICEF reports there are 115 million 6- to 12-year-olds not in school, about 60 percent of who are female. Gender equality is a universal human right and needs be protected across the globe.

The story of Yousafzai is a classic example of an extreme patriarchal society with a strict, militant regime whose sole purpose is to enforce traditional laws at all cost. Likewise, the text talks about this in The Continued Perils of Being Female which states, “Throughout the world, women continue to be victims of violence, sexual exploitation and discrimination. (Sernau, 89)” I found it every interesting also in the text, “Japan, which has less class inequality than much of the industrialized world, has greater gender inequality. (Sernau, 90)” Although it’s politically correct to state “there is no hierarchy of oppression” this notion is contextually subjective.

Numerous studies have demonstrated how valuable of an asset women are to society when they are granted equal rights. Empowering women increases development and reduces poverty. When women have more autonomy concerning the family income, they are more likely to spend it on their children’s education, health care, food and other expenses that can benefit the entire family. 

The above exert from the article would dispel the sociological term “feminization of poverty” because women would become valuable assets to society as educated, autonomous, productive members. Lastly, the article mentioned, “Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue an education, no matter the gender, background or economic class,” which ties into a basic principle of sociology—education should be stratified throughout society.

Nasa: Yousafzai demonstrates crucial stand against gender inequality; female education must be implemented globally | The Daily Orange

Rayna Tyson. February 19, 2013. 10:43PM

Inequality

After a recent opinion poll published in Stern magazine, three out of four Germans reported the highest paid individuals in the country were over-paid. Furthermore, fifty-eight percent believed legal limits should be placed on company heads and executives who last year took home €20 million. They consider this issue a social injustice that calls for attention and a close evaluation before the fall federal elections.

Germany traditionally has lower wealth inequalities than other rich countries. But now poverty is on the rise with workers who are being paid 55 cents an hour, while on the other end there are 137 billionaires with a total worth of $550 billion. After 10 years of wage restraint, unions in both the public and private sector are seeking substantial wage rises of 6.5% for about 12.5 million employees. This problem is not exclusive to Germany; Greece, Spain and Portugal would also greatly benefit from a great revision and redistribution of funds.

The main fighters of this issue are the Social Democrats because the companies can afford to pay their workers more, they just choose not to. The party charges that Merkel (country’s chancellor) has neglected domestic social issues like establishing a federal minimum wage, offering better child care  facilities and education, securer pension system, better care for the elderly, equality at work for women, and stronger regulations on tax evasions.

Leaders have relaxed attitudes concerning the issues of the lower working class. As long as the issues are not directly affecting them they are complacent in addressing them. Similar to the film China Blue watched in class, the factory owner’s (bourgeoisie who does not actually contribute to the labor/ manufacturing process) main goal is maximizing his profit—even in the immoral means of worker exploitation.

http://www.leftfootforward.org/2013/02/inequality-big-issue-in-germany/

Rayna Tyson. February 15, 2013. 1:02PM.

Inequality

This week I choose an article from England entitled, “’Postgraduate premium’ fuel vicious cycle of social inequality.” Overall, the article talked about “the lifetime value of a postgraduate degree is rising, which is increasing social inequality. Someone with a master’s degree can expect to earn £5,500 more a year than someone holding only a bachelor’s degree.” It went on to explain the cause of this rising disparity fairly simply; those who obtain postgraduate degrees come from richer family backgrounds than those who do not. Many would agree with the article in that this phenomenon has occurred because the attainment of higher education is stratified within society based on socioeconomic status or family income. Because no government support system exists beyond undergrad, the problem lies with the astute graduates who were born to lower or middle class families; they now find it difficult to stand out in the professional labor market as well as realize their highest potential. Reports on this topic declare there should be state-backed loans for these students to attend graduate programs.

 "We need to have a much more concerted effort by government, universities and the professions to ensure that postgraduate study is about stretching the brightest minds and not simply dipping into the deepest pockets,” sir Peter Lampl. I think this is a phenomenal quote we should all deeply consider. All of society’s members should be mirrored as such, as a whole; not just those who can afford to be represented. We live in a knowledge based world where all our sophistication in art, literature and music, advancements in science, math and medicine stem from learned individuals who continue their learning as with no boundaries. I enjoyed the article because it highlighted many issues of inequality: those within class, education and a new found gender gap. It made mention to the fact men are now becoming behind in these degrees as compared to women.

Rayna Tyson. February 8, 2013. 9:54AM

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=422605&c=1

Inequality

Canada's Growing Inequality Problem

The article I chose this week first stated that the problem of income inequality is a global one; not exclusive to the US. Canada’s top one percent earners account for 10.6% of the entire nation’s income. This study by Statistics Canada focused on the top 25.5 million tax filers whose incomes have steady inclined from 1989 to 2010. The study showed that these individuals brought in about $201,400 for the year and the same individuals in 1989, $147,500. The conclusion was due to the widening gap, its obvious the richest have significantly separated themselves from the rest in the last 20 years. The article moves on to discuss the exclusion of young persons from the employment sector and the under and unemployment struggle the last few years. After examining the median incomes, Statistics Canada (Statscan) says that the income of the top one percent in 2010 is significantly higher than the 1980s; while the other 99% of the population’s incomes have relatively remained the same. As an overall point, the top has maintained the top. On average there is a 70% chance a top earner will continue to remain so.

I liked this article because I tend to hear a lot of people talking bad about the US but praise Canada for their differences in governmental policies and economy, while the truth is Canada shares some of our very same issues. That does not make the injustice any better but it’s widely occurring and perhaps that gives the world a greater chance at finding a solution because its effecting a larger population. They also included in the article, “Ten percent of China’s population accounts for 86.7% of the country’s total wealth.” I find these statistics to be fascinating yet unfathomable. How does country after country let these blatant grievances and disproportions continue?  The old cliche, “the rich get richer and the poor get poor” is no myth or slogan but how real people live every day and over time it manifest itself to be very true. The government was put in place to protect and service the people yet they exploit and humiliate them.

Rayna Tyson. January 31, 2013. 1:00AM
http://www.valuewalk.com/2013/01/canadas-growing-inequality-problem/

Inequality

I chose to follow stories concerning Inequality because its the most shared yet varying topic to the individual. I can use articles about sexism, racism, religion, economics etc. to demonstrate differences among people. Although inequalities are subjective to the individual, I think it will be interesting to explore its global range and dynamics (i.e. difference in inequalities in America vs. Pakistan) Last semester I took an HDFS course that allowed me to study families across the world, and as expected, each country held their own moral/ values/ beliefs embedded in their history that effect their people's present day "inequalities" (dependent upon who you ask). Another HDFS class introduced me to the idea of institutionalized or systematic inequality, which also interests me. I look forward to this topic's diversity.