UCO Major Influences on US Culture
The Conflict Theory, originated in the nineteenth century, is still applicable today. It deals with inequity and lack of economic opportunity. In this paper, I will prove that the American Dream is being hindered by these injustices. Our skin color, our heredity and our economic status should not deter our role in society.
On the first day of class, we did an activity that certainly set the tone for the semester. We were told to choose four people from the class and write down their life story and personality based on assumptions we created in the first five minutes of meeting them. Until that exercise, I was not aware of how judgmental I could be. My judgments were not intentional but rather, instinctive. I later learned that these judgments are not only impacting teenager’s self-esteem levels, but also American society. Our skin color, our pant size, our face shape, our gender, these are all aspects that can determine if we get the job for which we applied. According to research, people's skin color and even name can create pre-conceived assumptions of an applicant at an interview. Employment lawyer Philip Landau (2012) states, "The inquiry found that many job applicants of ethnic minority had changed their name or appearance to try to overcome prejudices – and when they did their scope for getting a job increased." This approach is difficult to change considering it is a social norm that is instinctive but when we consider the fact that America is claims to be notorious for equal opportunity, residents should ashamed for this type of behavior.
The Conflict Theory highlights the role of oppression and power in creating societal order. This theory was created by Karl Marx, who believed society to be divided into classes that competed for economic means. Marx believed that power was given to those with the most social, economic and political resources. He thought this to be unjust and prejudiced. The Conflict Theory states that the reason behind inequality among classes is due to the uneven dispersion of resources. This reveals the injustices of societal regulation. Resources are given based on one’s gender, race and social status. These partialities hinder certain individuals from reaching their full potential. Most social theories focus on the favorable characteristics of society whereas the Conflict Theory concentrates on the conflicting matters. This is why some may say the Conflict theory is the most applicable theory because we live in a world where it is crucial to be aware of its malfunctions. While functionalists are constantly evading social revolution, conflict theorists are looking for ways to improve society. There is social conflict in racial, gender, religious, political, and economic issues. Social conflict is everywhere. Instead of ignoring critical issues, the Conflict Theory brings them to the surface and attempts to find a solution. Ashley Crossman (2011) defines Conflict Theory as, “humanitarian efforts, altruism, democracy, civil rights, and other positive aspects of society to capitalistic designs to control the masses, not to inherent interests in preserving society and social order”
From the beginning of the semester, I have found the Conflict Theory to be most relevant to American society. However, I was not aware of its pertinence. In each topic the class studied, the Conflict Theory could be applied. Karl Marx’s theory was not only valid in the nineteenth century but also in modern day society. The strength of the Conflict Theory is it seeks ethical ends. The theory is appealing to a large portion of society. Its revolutionary qualities provide incredible stimuli that enthuses its followers. Equality is an ideal for which America as a nation strives. People that do not desire equality do not claim it because it puts a dent in their reputation. The flaw in the Conflict Theory is that its ultimate goal requires a fair society. The theory states that human nature, at its core, is pure but has been corrupted by society. Though it is an appealing ideal, it can be unattainable. In addition, the theory can have an unintended outcome. The theory reveals the inequality among the classes. It reveals these disparities in order to create a desire to empower the underprivileged. By divulging these discriminations, the lower class takes pity on themselves hence eradicating their impetus to better themselves. This pity can cause them to take advantage of the government causing them to become lazy.
One of the critical problems resulting from inequality is that of education. In the poorer districts of America, teachers are getting paid less which gives them less motivation to teach well. If they brought in teachers that met the standards of high education, then people of the lower class would have equal opportunity. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (2011) states, “Low-income students need extra support and resources to succeed, but in far too many places, policies for assigning teachers and allocating resources are perpetuating the problem rather than solving it” The highest quality graduates from college that go into education to better students’ knowledge are not going into poor districts because they know they will not be fairly compensated. There are people that go into low income districts because they want to help “the less fortunate” but they are not getting the pay they deserve. The problem of inequality is being perpetuated by this problem that can be easily fixed. Students should not have less academic privileges simply because of location and family into which they were born. The status of one’s heredity does not give genetic intelligence. It is the resources and motivation one has that hones one’s successes. We are all capable. However, we are not all given the assets we need to reach our potential.
The media is constantly pushing the message that one’s achievements come from how much money they make. Teenagers are especially being exposed to this societal ideal through movies, magazines, TV shows, and commercials. It is everywhere. The amount of money in your bank account determines how successful you are. Karl Marx believes the contrary. He states:
When communist artisans associate with one another, theory, propaganda, etc., is their first end. But at the same time, as a result of this association, they acquire a new need — the need for society — and what appears as a means becomes an end ... the brotherhood of man is no mere phrase with them, but a fact of life, and the nobility of man shines upon us from their work-hardened bodies (Marx, 1844)
It is hard work that reveals a man’s success. Not the size of their billfold. In addition, Marx (1859) states, “Retailers have the same existence that the imagined gods have. Has a retailer any existence except in the imagination, if only in the general or rather common imagination of man? Bring paper money into a country where this use of paper is unknown, and everyone will laugh at your subjective imagination”. Therefore, if money does not matter to certain people, then it cannot universally determine success. If the media would render this mindset, our country would be much more united and productive. People would work hard with an aspirational and positive mentality opposed to a mindset only motivated by wealth.
After studying the American Dream this semester, I have found it to be nothing more than its title: a dream. It is an unattainable dream, especially for the lower class. Though it appeals to the lower class, history has proven the American Dream to be nothing more than an American ideal. In some cases, one may argue it is in fact attainable, but certain people must face obstacles that others do not have to overcome:
According to the United States census Bureau, blacks are twice as likely to be poor compared to other races, and eight times as likely to be imprisoned. Blacks are also three times more likely to be convicted of drug violations than whites. Only 75 percent of blacks have received post-high school education, compared to 85 percent of whites. Not surprisingly, blacks on average also make less money than whites. The truth about American society is not pretty, and the facts prove it. As of yet, black people have not been proven to possess any kind of genetic deficiency (Unless Trent Lott’s college biology lab book has some classified information on human testing.) Therefore, racially speaking, there must be something wrong with our society (Deutsch, 2003).
Because of the prejudices towards people, race is still a current issue. People are unable to achieve the American dream. Though they may have the same qualities and abilities of a Caucasian, they have less opportunity because of their skin color. “A group of researchers from MIT and the University Of Chicago School Of Business carried out a test in order to determine whether applicants with black-sounding names received fair treatment while applying for jobs. The researchers in the study submitted 5,000 resumes to 1,250 advertisers in Boston and Chicago looking for administrative and sales help. In both cities, applicants with “white sounding names” received 50 percent more responses from companies than their black-sounding counterparts with equal credentials” (Deutsch, 2003).
The Conflict Theory is an aspiration that could fundamentally correct the prejudices in American society. By giving equal opportunity to be people based on their potential rather than their heredity, America will become a more successful nation.
Landau, P. (December 2012). Fighting discrimination at a job interview. The Gaurdian.
Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/money/work-blog/2012/dec/07/fighting-discrimination-job-interview
Crossman, A. (2012). Conflict theory. Sociology Retrieved from
http://sociology.about.com/od/Sociological-Theory/a/Conflict-Theory.htm
Dillon, S. (2011). Districts pay less in poor schools. The New York Times. Retrieved from
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/education/us-education-department-finds-salary-gap-in-poor-schools.html?_r=2&
Behera, C. (December 2011). Occupy wall street campaign: reliving marx and moving.
Dishadiary. Retrieved from http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowOriyaColumn.asp?id=30724
Marx, K. (1859). A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy. Location: Germany.
Published by Progress Publishers, Moscow
Deutsch, P. (2003). The american dream is still. The Tech MIT. Retrieved from http://tech.mit.edu/V123/N3/pro_affirmative.3f.html
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