Racial Problem & Solution Analysis - Final Paper

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Section 1: Problem Analysis

Focal racism example. State and describe the focal example of racism that you have chosen to analyze. Your focal racism example must be a clear description of phenomenon that functions on a broader community, institutional, structural, or societal level (e.g., the overrepresentation of Black Americans among those who are incarcerated). Your description should explain how/why your example is itself an important social problem or how it relates to an important social problem. Be sure your description briefly communicates why this social problem is important. Writing tip: There are many ways to answer this question of importance. One way would be to explain what impact the problem is having on individuals’ quality of life - in terms of physical or mental health or wellbeing, living/working/schooling conditions, etc. Also remember: Both racial privilege and racial disadvantage are relevant lenses for describing and defining social problems. You could also frame the mere fact of racial inequality as a problem in and of itself, especially as it conflicts the core U.S. American cultural ideal of equality.)

Context. What is one element of the larger U.S. American historical and/or socio-cultural context (e.g., a law in the past or a social movement, or more recently implemented practices - like broken windows policing) in which this problem is situated and has developed? In this section, your goal is to tell a very brief, introductory story about the evolution of the problem.

Systemic racism and mutual constitution. Analyze your focal racism example through the lens of systemic racism, with a focus on the psychology of individuals within systems and how they constitute one another. More specifically, do the following: (A) Identify and define 1 individual-level psychological phenomenon (e.g., the Black-crime stereotypic association) that you think is relevant to your focal racism example. (B) Explain how the individual-level phenomenon that you have identified can reinforce the broader level phenomenon that you have identified, and explain how the broader level phenomenon that you have identified can in turn reinforce the individual-level phenomenon that you have identified. (C) Optional: If you have space and want to address points a and b for one other individual-level psychological phenomenon, you can do that in this section as well.

Section 2: Solution Analysis

Proposed solution. Propose a solution to the specific example of racism that you analyzed in Section 1. More specifically, do the following: (A) Describe your proposed solution. In doing so, be sure to explain the level at which it would be implemented (e.g., individual, community, institutional, structural, societal). Who or what entity would be implementing this solution, and how? What is this solution’s primary goal? Writing Tip: Your solution could take one of many different forms—it could be policy-focused, activism-oriented, based in scientific research, utilize the arts or media (e.g., journalism, movies, TV shows), be an idea for a non-profit organization, etc. There are many different forms of solutions—big and small—that you could propose. Writing Tip: Your solution should be one example of a strategy for change that will help facilitate progress toward racial equality—even if a small step. Your solution does not need to be an all-encompassing proposal that will “solve” racism. That would be a tall order!

Efficacy analysis. Explain why/how this solution would be effective. More specifically: How would your solution ameliorate your specific example of racism, by interrupting the cycle you described in your systemic racism and mutual constitution section, part B? What is one other way in which your solution would ameliorate your specific example of racism? Writing Tip: Be sure to draw from core course concepts and required or supplemental readings (or relevant outside sources that you have researched on your own) to explain why you think this solution will be effective.

Limitation. Identify and describe at least one potential limitation of your proposed solution. Writing Tip: Starting from scratch to think of a solution can feel like a daunting task. One effective way to generate a potential solution is to consider one concrete example of a solution that people have already implemented or are currently implementing (you could even be one of the people implementing it). You can then ask yourself, what is one limitation of this solution? And, given the right amount of time and resources, what is one way in which you would improve upon this solution to address this limitation? How would addressing this limitation provide a more effective strategy for change?

References

APA formatted references list here. You are required to include at least 4 APA style in-text citations: at least 2 in your “problem” section, and at least 2 in your “solution” section. All sources that you cite in-text should appear in this reference list.

Self-Evaluation

Strengths

· Describe what you see as one strength of your analysis.

· Describe what you see as another strength of your analysis.

Challenge

· Describe at least one challenge you encountered while writing or an area for improvement in your paper.

[Delete this statement before submitting: Note that, in addition to the requirements listed throughout this formatting template: (A) Overall writing quality (e.g., main points are organized clearly, sentence structure is clear, does not make spelling/grammatical errors) will be factored into your grade. (B) The main text of this paper (that is, everything before the references section) should be no longer than 4 pages.]

COMMNETS REQUESTED

(Include this bolded “comments requested” statement here if you would like to receive written feedback on your paper. Otherwise, delete this statement.)

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