Question #5  Compare racism and sexism.  How are they different and similar?  How does socio-economic status affect racism and what are the long-term effects of these practices?


Racism and sexism share a characteristic that makes them similar.  The characteristic is superiority.  Whether men/women feel superior to one another, or one race feel superior to another, the feeling one is superior to another is the common thread.  Racism differs from sexism in that regardless of sex the inferior feelings towards another race resides within the individual.  A racist person still values a person of the opposite sex that is the same race as superior to any member of a race that is not their own.  The socio-economic status affects racism and sexism similarly.  A person of low-socioeconomic standing lacks the power to truly change the life of someone they consider inferior.  This also holds true for sexism.  For example, a co-worker that is racist or sexist can't really adversely affect a person's career without the help of a higher socio-economic entity within the same organization.  The book clearly states, Individual Racism + Power = Institutuional Racism.  When racism or sexism permeates a person of power then institutional racism is allowed to exist and to flourish.  The long-term effect of institutional racism and sexism, considered to be the most harmful to our society, is that it influences all aspects of our lives.  The institutional racism becomes the norm for the society and is taught from generation to generation and becomes part of the fabric of society.