This study examined the relationship between social structures and crime among rural white and urban black males in North Carolina through the theoretical framework of Merton's Anomie. Using demographic information on the state's inmate population provided by the North Carolina Department of Corrections, the subjects' individual characteristics were studied alongside community level conditions to establish whether anomic conditions did coincide with specific types of crimes and whether individuals from each group would commit the same types of crimes. The study population came from the rural counties of Graham, Alleghany, Swain, and Mitchell and the urban communities within Charlotte of Mecklenburg County. Univariate and Bivariate analysis were used to establish the significance and strength of any relationships between the variables. The findings indicated that while the category of offense was different for each group, the implied intent was the same. Both committed crimes that would benefit them in a pecuniary manner.

African-American male students are systematically forced to confine themselves to the social construct that European-American society has developed for them. Actions, behaviors, and words that communicate this message spread both interracially and intraracially within schools and affect African-American males tremendously in terms of their identity development and personal well-being. While many studies examine the overt forms of racism and more obvious microaggressions that African-American male students encounter in their schooling, few look at the deep-seated forms of racism that are less noticeable but that have a disastrous psychological impact on these students. This study shows the effects on the psyche and development of the three African-American male students involved as they retrospectively recount their secondary school experiences. Portraiture is used to capture each participant’s story accurately and clearly while critical race theory is interwoven throughout as theoretical framework for this research. Using both critical race theory and portraiture, a complete examination of how racism occurs within schools and its effects on African-American males is shown.

Since the publication of A Nation at Risk (National Commission on Excellence in Education, 1983), Berliner and Biddle (1995) have argued media have assisted leaders in creating a “manufactured crisis” (p. 4) about America’s public schools to scapegoat educators, push reforms, and minimize societal problems, such as systemic racism and declining economic growth, particularly in urban areas. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act (2001) functions as an important articulation of this crisis (Granger, 2008). Utilizing the theoretical lenses of master narrative theory (Lyotard, 1984), Critical Race Theory (Delgado & Stefancic, 2001), and social capital theory (Bourdieu, 1986; Coleman 1988), this study employed critical discourse analysis (Reisigl & Wodak, 2009) to unmask the mainstream media’s master narrative, or dominant story, about Victory High School (VHS), which was reconstituted under the authority of the NCLB Act (2001). Findings revealed a master narrative that racialized economic competition, vilified community members, and exonerated neoliberal reforms. Drawing on the critical race methodology of counter-narratives (Yosso, 2006), individual and focus group interviews with 12 VHS teachers, alumni, and community elders illustrated how reforms fragmented this school community, destroying collective social capital, while protecting the interests of capitalism and neoliberalism. By revealing the interests protected by the media’s master narrative and beginning a counter-narrative voiced by members of the community, this study contributes to recasting the history of the VHS community, to understanding the intersections between race and class in working class communities of color, and to exposing the impact of neoliberal educational reforms on urban schools.

The first Black American president ran for re-election in the 2012 election, which saw record-breaking voter turnout. After this election, scholars sought to examine what social identities impacted voter turnout and, found that non-Hispanic Black voters played a critical role in shaping President Obama’s success. Although the effects of social identities on voter turnout are the focus of an extensive body of existing research, many scholars study the separate effects of characteristics, such as race/ethnicity, gender or party identification. Utilizing public opinion data from the 2016 General Survey Study (GSS), this paper seeks to examine the intersectional effects of race, ethnicity, and gender on voter turnout in the 2012 Presidential Election. The findings of this can assist in understanding the impact these social identities had on turnout for non-Hispanic Black women in the 2012 presidential election and provide a basis for studying these intersecting factors in succeeding elections.

Since 1978 casino and gaming facilities in the United States have grown substantially. Drawing outside customers has helped to improve the local communities surrounding the gaming facilities. In a similar fashion, United States horse racing aims at increasing traffic and wagering at race tracks throughout the United States (but unlike casinos little expansion). Along with the fiscal impact to the United States, the horse racing industry has created thousands of jobs, and the industry is experiencing continual growth in nominal gross wagering. Many state’s have breeder programs that enhance purses and horses bred and raced in- state. The goal of this research was to assess whether these state bred event days (SBED) attendance and/or wagering were comparable to controls, the proximal weeks. Data was collected over a three year period and included sixteen states with such programs. The data was analyzed using ordinary least squares regression methods. Two models were run, an on-track wagering model, and an attendance model on a set of structural variables. In the on-track wagering model positive variables, including purse levels, change in track venue, and SBED concurrent with a major national race day (Triple Crown or Breeders’ Cup days), were associated with an increase in on-track wagering. California and New York SBED experienced significant increases in on- track wagering over open race days. The attendance model had similar results. While SBED programs are not used in every state, their overall contribution to horse racing is apparent and substantial. The enhancement and introduction of new well planned SBED programs in United States racing jurisdictions might increase attendance and wagering.

This systematic review examined literature spanning the last 10 years from Canada, the U.K., the U.S.A., Australia, and New Zealand. Findings highlight the significant gap in comparative literature examining (structural) racism as a determinant of South Asian healthcare access, utilization, and outcomes, and identifies areas of future research to address South Asian health equity concerns. / Background: Race, or specifically racism, has been well-established as a critical determinant of health, though current healthcare practices and policies in Western countries do not adequately address these issues. South Asians are the largest minority group in Canada, and they face disproportionate rates of chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, and barriers to care globally. However, their experiences in healthcare settings and the impact of race and racism on their health equity remain unexplored. This systematic review examined whether race affects healthcare access, utilization, and outcomes of South Asians compared to White-majority populations in Western countries. Methods: Embase, PsycInfo, Ageline, and CINAHL, were searched following PRISMA guidelines, as well as Google Scholar. Articles from 2013-2022 were included if they discussed racism, discrimination, or disparities/inequalities in South Asian physical and mental health, healthcare access, and utilization, outcomes compared to White populations in Canada, the U.K., the U.S.A., Australia, and New Zealand. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess methodological quality. Data was synthesized narratively. Results: The review included 89 studies from Canada (n=19), the U.K. (n=51), the U.S.A. (n=17), and Australia (n=2), with most studies (n=76) utilizing cross-sectional or cohort designs and examining physical health outcomes (n=50). Study samples predominantly included Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis over other subgroups. Notably, there was no overall increase in comparative studies over the last decade; however, the U.K. observed an 85% increase compared to an 82% and 64% decrease in Canada and the U.S.A., respectively. The review also identified limited research on experiences within healthcare settings and mental health outcomes, sexual/reproductive health, and all health outcomes for children/youth. Few studies directly discussed the impacts of structural or organizational racism or discrimination on outcomes, though some commented on individual racism as well. Instead, studies relied on the social determinants of health as proxies for structural racism, such as education and income. Conclusion: This review highlights the significant lack of comparative research on the impact of structural, organizational, and individual racism on the healthcare access, utilization, and outcomes of South Asians compared to White-majority populations in Western countries. The review emphasizes the need for more primary, comparative research that quantifies and contextualizes South Asian experiences in obtaining healthcare services. Future research must employ rigorous and representative sampling methods, diverse study designs, and quantitative and qualitative measures that capture implicit, covert, and overt racism in healthcare among South Asians. Additionally, studies should measure factors such as religion, housing, language, and racialized institutional policies, in addition to the typically examined social determinants of health. Finally, this review highlights the need to collect and report disaggregated race and ethnicity health data with input from community leaders, and stratify these data by South Asian subgroups to avoid homogenization of distinct cultures and differential experiences in healthcare systems. Overall, acknowledging racism in healthcare and institutional policies is essential to effectively dismantle these issues and ensure health equity for South Asians. / Thesis / Master of Public Health (MPH)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Tooth mass discrepancies have been studied extensively in Caucasian populations, but little has been done to compare differences between Caucasian and African-American populations. The objective of this study was to determine whether the incidence of tooth mass discrepancies between the maxillary and mandibular arches was greater in African-American populations than Caucasian populations. Pretreatment plaster orthodontic models of 100 African-American and 100 Caucasian patients from the Indiana University Orthodontic Clinic and from one private practitioner were measured with a Mitutoyo Digimatic® caliper accurate to 0.01 mm. Mesiodistal widths of all teeth from first molar to first molar were measured with the mesio-buccal and disto-buccal contact areas normally being the widest area. The investigator was blinded to the gender and ethnicity of the subject by assigning each model a random number which was matched to the patient profile only following statistical analysis. Anterior ratios and total (posterior+ anterior) ratios were calculated according to the methods described by Bolton and were compared to the Bolton means and standard deviations. Incidence of tooth mass discrepancy was also investigated according to gender and dental malocclusion classification of the individuals. Tooth mass discrepancies present a hurdle to the clinician in achieving an ideal occlusion. Reports of the incidence of significant discrepancies in defined populations alerts the practitioner to problems in finishing their patients' occlusions. Results of the study show nearly double the incidence of overall Bolton tooth mass discrepancy in the African-American sample than in the Caucasian. The overall tooth mass discrepancy was more severe in the African-American sample, while anterior tooth mass discrepancies were nearly identical in both populations.

Sexual assault on college campuses is a pervasive issue that continues to affect women from a variety of backgrounds. Unfortunately, the narratives of women of color, especially black women are often marginalized even though data shows that they tend to be more susceptible to sexual assault. Using survey questions concerning traditional gender roles, and situations of sexual assault (while considering race and gender), this study will measure the attitudes of 300 college-aged individuals. Data will be analyzed using an ANOVA test to study the combined effects that race and gender may have on the respondents’ perception of victims. Historically, African American/black women have faced unique stereotypes about their sexuality that dehumanizes and normalizes sexual aggression towards them. This study aims to explore perceptions about sexual assault as it relates to college-age black women and expand the scope of research currently being done on victimization.

This thesis utilizes a reproductive justice framework to discuss the impact of anti-abortion legislation and the anti-abortion movement on women of color and low-income women, arguing that reduced access to abortion is oppressive to minority women. Chapter 1 outlines the theoretical framework of this thesis, focusing on feminist Marxism, Intersectionality, Critical Race Theory, and radical and third wave feminist perspectives. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the anti-abortion movement and the major state and federal laws and court cases that have defined women's access to abortion in the United States, including Roe v Wade, the Hyde Amendment, Planned Parenthood v Casey, and TRAP laws. Chapter 3 discusses the oppressive effects of these laws by connecting anti-abortion legislation and the anti-abortion movement to larger historical systems of oppression and examining the effect of reduced access to abortion on women's reproductive choices and socioeconomic status. This chapter argues that reduced access to abortion is oppressive because it encourages sterilization among minority women who may have chosen other birth control options given the choice, and funnels minority women into an oppressive and exploitative US welfare system. Chapter 4 discusses minority women's potential to overcome this oppression and examines some real-world examples of reproductive rights activism. This thesis expands the current discussion on abortion access by centering the discussion on minority women and arguing that reduced access to abortion is systematically oppressive rather than simply discriminatory.

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