![]() Consider the way slave owners justified slavery in the antebellum South, by suggesting black people were fundamentally inferior to white and preferred slavery to freedom.Īnother way to apply the functionalist perspective to racism is to discuss the way racism can contribute positively to the functioning of society by strengthening bonds between in-groups members through the ostracism of out-group members. Nash (1964) focused his argument on the way racism is functional for the dominant group, for example, suggesting that racism morally justifies a racially unequal society. How can racism and discrimination contribute positively to society? A functionalist might look at “functions” and “dysfunctions” caused by racial inequality. ![]() ![]() In the view of functionalism, racial and ethnic inequalities must have served an important function in order to exist as long as they have. Do we need more than one theory to explain racism, prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination? Functionalism As you read through these theories, ask yourself which one makes the most sense and why. We can examine issues of race and ethnicity through three major sociological perspectives: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. ![]()
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