Lecture 11 Social Inequality: Structural Racism & Colorblind Racism

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and implications of social and structural racism, mass incarceration, and their impacts as discussed in the lecture.

What is structural racism?

The combination of racist ideologies and unequal access to social and material resources.

What replaced explicit racism as the most common racist ideology in the US?

Colorblind racism.

What are the levels at which racism occurs?

Individual, Organizational, Institutional, Systemic.

What is an example of individual-level racism?

Implicit bias or microaggressions.

What does organizational-level racism encompass?

Explicit rules and informal norms that perpetuate racism.

How does institutional-level racism manifest?

Through interactions across organizations in specific domains like education or healthcare.

What is an example of systemic racism?

The school-to-prison pipeline.

How does mass incarceration reflect existing inequalities?

It amplifies existing social and economic inequalities affecting individuals and communities.

What is one reason behind the rise of mass incarceration in the U.S.?

Increased sentences due to mandatory minimums and 'three strikes' laws.

By what percentage does the U.S. prison population represent the global population?

Approximately 5% of the global population.

What percentage of the world's prisoners does the U.S. account for?

Nearly 25%.

What is the incarceration rate for Black Americans?

2,306 per 100,000.

What was identified as a significant factor in the rise of the carceral state?

Increased surveillance practices like probation and parole.

Who described Nixon's 1968 campaign strategy related to racism and crime?

John Erlichmann.

What was one of the measures enacted at the federal level in the 1980s impacting incarceration rates?

Enhanced funding for state and local law enforcement.

What key societal trend has emerged since the 2000s regarding incarceration rates?

A slight decrease in incarceration rates.

What impact does mass incarceration have on family structures?

An increase in single women-headed households due to incarcerated family members.

What is one consequence of mass incarceration on children's education?

Reduced educational attainment.

What role do stereotypes play in the criminal justice system?

They lead to bias in stops, arrests, and sentencing.

What does the term ‘colorblind racism’ refer to?

A form of racism that ignores racial inequalities by claiming not to see race.

What does the ‘school-to-prison pipeline’ illustrate?

How educational inequalities can contribute to increased incarceration rates.

Why were tougher sentencing laws enacted in the states after the 1980s?

Due to federal incentives and local law enforcement funding increases.

How does Overpolicing affect minority neighborhoods?

It leads to higher arrest rates and perpetuates systemic racism.

What are microaggressions?

Subtle, often unintentional, discriminatory comments or actions.

What is a significant health disparity noted among Black Americans during the COVID pandemic?

Higher rates of COVID deaths compared to White Americans.

What does the term 'mass incarceration' imply?

A significant increase in the number of individuals imprisoned.

What do many argue has contributed to the perception of crime linked to race?

Political strategies like those used in the Nixon campaign.

Which group has one of the highest lifetime probabilities of going to prison in the U.S.?

African American men with no high school diploma.

What is felon disenfranchisement?

The loss of voting rights due to a felony conviction.