I argue that structural racism offers a unique explanation of durable racial inequality. However, the lack of consensus over the meaning of structural racism makes it difficult to theorize its explanatory power. To overcome this challenge, I develop an account of structural racism in terms of racially oppressive social structures. Structural racism explains durable racial inequality insofar as it motivates agents who benefit from relations of race-based advantage/disadvantage to act in ways that preserve those advantages. This motivational effect of structural racism ensures the support of enough advantaged agents to maintain racial inequality. I develop this explanatory claim with reference to a recent sociological case study of a U.S. high school in which white parents support social practices that reinforce racial disparities in students' educational attainments. Given its explanatory power, structural racism is key for developing a comprehensive analysis of the resilience of racial inequality, and for devising effective strategies to solve this social problem.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:columbia.edu/oai:academiccommons.columbia.edu:10.7916/d8-81e6-az23 |
| Date | January 2020 |
| Creators | Cabezas, César |
| Source Sets | Columbia University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Theses |
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