Cameron 1

Naomi Cameron

Sociology 001

21 May 2017

Project 1

"How racism makes us sick" highlights many aspects of racism and its effects on people's

health. David R. Williams targets blacks and whites specifically and compares the life expectancy with

education among each race. The impact of education is only a sliver of the discrimination reality.

Williams breaks down racism into three scales. The first scale consists of major discriminations. The

following scale is called the every day discrimination scale. This scale captures nine items of more

minor discriminations that are experienced daily. Williams goes on to talk about implicit bias,

residential segregation, and negative stereotypes. Blacks and other minorities receive poorer medical

care when compared with whites. Further research goes on to relate discrimination and racism of blacks

with higher risk of diseases and other major health problems. For every dollar that white Americans

earn, black Americans earn fifty-nine cents. Income is a large factor of the health of an individual.

Williams provides evidence throughout his TED talk about the negative impact of racism on the health

of blacks. Towards the end of his talk, Williams gives insight on programs that are working to

dismantle discrimination across the United States.

The functionalist perspective describes a society that is built upon the cooperation of each

individual part. Each of these parts are vital to the stability of the society. When society faces a

negative aspect, one predicts that there will be some future advantage attached. David R. Williams

highlights the negative aspects of racism and discrimination. Many people suffer from discrimination;

however, there are future advantages that can come from this. It takes every aspect of society to come

together and build a stronger society. This means, educators, health care providers, doctors, nurses, etc.

all make an impact on the greater future of the society. The cooperation of all of these people will allow
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the health care of minorities to be better than it has ever been. Williams incorporates the functionalist

perspective towards the end of his TED talk. He suggests many organizations that have already begun

to build a better future and that we, as a society, need to come together to create a positive outcome.

Interactionists base their beliefs among the daily interactions of individuals. These theorists

suggest that influencing these social interactions will change the individual's world. In the interactionist

perspective, the focus is on small groups or individuals rather than the entire society as a whole (micro-

sociology). Williams tells the audience about the impact discrimination and racism has on the

individual. Daily interactions of discrimination and racism change the minorities' world. Society targets

individuals in a variety of ways. Williams talk about the scales of racism explains the many different

ways that racism impacts the individual daily. These three scales level from low to high amounts of

racism. The second scale specifically talks about the every day discriminations. Minorities are

constantly faced with problems, especially in health care, because of discrimination.

Conflict theorists suggest that society is made up of inequality and problems. When there is

inequality and conflict, society will make changes accordingly. In contrast with the functionalist belief,

conflict theorists state that society is unstable. Capitalism and stratification play a key role in the social

conflict perspective. There are constantly struggles in all parts of society. While conflict continues to

appear, positive consequences are a common resolution. Conflict perspective is most apparent

throughout the video. Williams discusses the division of society that is created by racism and

discrimination. This is a struggle that minorities constantly face. These races are constantly conflicting

and fighting for resources. Whites are given the advantage. A majority of the video, Williams talks

about health care differences between white and black Americans. White Americans are given more

opportunities because of their wealth, education, etc. Black Americans often have less money, less

education, less job opportunities, etc. These are not the only things that impact the health care of

Americans. The minorities are faced with racism by doctors, nurses, and any other health care provider.
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These people are often unknowingly being racist or discriminating against minorities. That is why

Williams is trying to spread the word. He dedicates a large part of his speech on how to improve these

problems that society has created for the minorities. Groups and organizations raise money and

awareness for minorities and their health care opportunities. Williams wants social change and claims

that there is little to no social stability because of discrimination.

Video: https://www.ted.com/talks/david_r_williams_how_racism_makes_us_sick/transcript?

language=en