Part I
The Functionalist theory emphasizes the contributions (functions) that all parts of society (e.g., social institutions) make within society. This theory has contributed to sociology by providing a view “which emphasizes the way in which the parts of a society are structured to maintain stability.” (Schafer 2013, pg13)
The conflict perspective, or conflict theory, derives from the ideas of Karl Marx, who believed society is a dynamic entity constantly undergoing change driven by class conflict. Conflict theorists generally see social change as abrupt, even revolutionary, rather than incremental (https://courses.lumenlearning.com). Currently, the discipline of sociology accepts conflict theory as a valid way to gain insight into
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Racial Injustice: NFL Protest
According to an article written by the online magazine ProCon, NFL quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, first refused to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner" on Aug. 26, 2016 to protest racial injustice and police brutality in the United States. www.Procon.org
That stance, has since escalated, and become a nationally divisive social issue.
What spark this protest? Is it aimed at the police or flag? Is it a legitimate social issue?
The current debate over kneeling or sitting in protest during the national anthem to protest police brutality was ignited by Kaepernick in 2016, and later adopted by many other professional football players, high school athletes, and professional athletes in other sports, all who have refused to stand for the national anthem. These protests have created disagreement and sparked a public conversation race, police brutality, the flag and if the NFL is the best forum for to protest such issue. Colin Kaepernick has since said “he’s not protesting the flag but police brutality against African Americans. www.Procon.org
Racial Injustice and police brutality is a huge subject that has been for decades. According to data released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2011), between 2003 and 2009 at least 4,813 people died in the process of being arrested by local police. Of the deaths classified as law enforcement homicides, 2,876 deaths occurred of
Refusing to stand for the National Anthem shows disrespect to the flag members of armed forces. For example, “The national anthem pays respect to the people who have risked their lives, been injured, or died defending the US.” Without a doubt, this is 100% true because why should someone be able to take a knee and disrespect the flag when people risked their lives for us to be free. Yes, that's what the flag represents but people should never bite the hand that feeds you.The writer of the national anthem sated, “it just blows my mind that somebody like (kaepernick) would do what he does to dishonor the flag of this country and the national anthem when we have young men and women overseas fighting for this country, that people have died for.”I agree with the evidence stated because I feel like everyone should pay their respects to everyone who fought for the flag. I understand that you aren’t supportive of the National anthem but I feel as if there's another way you can protest. That’s not as disrespectful for instance, taking a knee before or after the national anthem. Lastly, the New Orleans quarterback, supported Kaepernick’s message but disagreed with the delivery: “It's and oxymoron that you’re sitting down, disrespecting that flag that has given you the freedom to speak out.” As this being stated I agree with the New Orleans Quarterback because, again there is another way to protest and at least be smart about what you're doing.
In some cases not standing for the country’s anthem is viewed as disrespectful and unhelpful in changing people’s views. Other NFL players have spoken out against the kneeling, saying that it won't get results. “Malcolm Jenkins, safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, supported Kaepernick's message but said, “My grandfather served in the military. And this is the country I love. So, me not standing for the National Anthem isn't going to get me the results I want” (ProCon). This divides the NFL and is the wrong way to go about
In 2016, Colin Kaepernick, a 49ers quarterback, took a knee during the anthem. He did this to bring attention that there is an oppression of “black people and people of color.” He also adds that once “there’s significant change, and I feel that flag represent what it’s supposed to represent,” then he will stand. All of the players up to now wanted to bring attention to unjustified police shootings that ended up killing people because of their race. Kaepernick caused many people who were passive and didn’t know how to deal with this topic to take a knee during the anthem. He along with many people began to spread awareness that America has a racism problem that should’ve ended decades ago, but is only getting worse.
Players are encouraged to stand during the National Anthem for the special ceremony of the pre-game. However, Colin Kaepernick decided to stay seated through the ceremony, in protest of unequal treatment by police on the blacks in the United States. Colin did not violate any law or disrespect the American flag. He justified given his right by under the constitution. Colin stood up for the Constitutional Right, along standing up for what he believes in. Kaepernick stood up from the mistreatment from the police to his kind and didn’t do any type of harm.
Ever since 2016, professional athletes have protested police brutality and racial inequality by taking a knee during the Star Spangled Banner. Colin Kaepernick, a then San Francisco 49ers
Kaepernick and many others who have refused to stand for the anthem have caused divides among their teams, fans, and across the country. When NFL players don’t stand during the national anthem, fans get
The trend of standing up for what others believe has stormed across the nation for diverse reasons. One of many examples of this situation includes the National Football League(NFL). Approximately two years ago, quarterback Colin Kaepernick began to protest the national anthem due to his belief that his rights and the rights of other african-americans were being violated. Shortly after many other professional athletes followed his lead and protested the national anthem by kneeling down, locking
Football players protesting during the National Anthem lately have football fans red hot. Colin Kaepernick and many other professional football players are protesting what they feel are social inequalities and wrongdoings by getting down on a knee while the National Anthem plays. While everyone else is standing up to show respect. One particular fan named Nate3914 tweeted... Kaepernick, “If you don't love the country get out of it. You should never play another down in the NFL, move to Canada.” However, Anquan Boldin, his former teammate, says that he supports Kaepernick's decision to kneel down during the anthem. He said, “The great thing about America is you can protest and what the quarterback is doing is just another type of that.” This is a popular and controversial example, that Kaepernick has the right to express himself as a free citizen of the United States. Taking away his right to protest violates his constitutional rights. Colin Kaepernick's protest during the national anthem has fans in protests of outrage, but he defends
The conflict theory states that conflicts and tensions arise when power, status, and resources become unevenly distributed among different individuals within a society. These conflicts thus result in the social changes that are experienced within the societies. Conflict theory views the society as one
Sociological perspectives provide sociologists with a means to study different aspects of society, individuals, and groups upon different bases. Three major perspectives these sociologists turn to are Symbolic Interactionism, Functionalism, and Marxism. Symbolic Interactionism studies aspects of society through symbols and language included in each aspect. Each of these perspectives can be related to a workplace, religion, and a federal government agency or organization.
Symbolic Interactionism is a sociological perspective which asserts that both language and symbols play vital roles in interpersonal interactions. Symbols are objects that are representative of other objects and whose meanings are constructed and maintained through interpersonal social interaction. The meanings that humans give to behaviors or objects is a result of how people interpret them. Furthermore, these interpretations vary depending on the context of a situation and the group that is interpreting the symbol. Symbolic Interactionism is shaped by three perspectives.
Sociology is the scientific study of humans, and interactions with people in the society. Sociology makes it easier for us to gain knowledge about ourselves, and our social interaction with the world. Sociologists use theory which is a logical consistent statement that also endeavors to clarify, define, and predict social events. Each theory helps create a frame work and structure in which observations will be logically organized. The two theories I chose to discuss is the Functionalism theory, and conflict theory
Sociology uses empirical methods to help understand why we act in a certain way, and investigates salient norms, values, and ideological concepts in a society or culture, through studying the behaviours of individuals (micro), or the collective (macro).
Chapter 4, Value Conflict, discusses how American sociologists in the early stages of Sociology briefly overlooked the conflict perspective because social reform was more popular. Then the conflict theory became more significant when a link was found in conflict theory and social reform.
Sociology is the study of groups of individuals within societies and the interactions involved. These studies are performed on micro and macro levels, studying the cultures and patterns of people (Keirns et al., 2015, p. 6). Sociologists use sociological imagination, a term created by C. Wright Mills, to describe cultures by acknowledging their own life experiences and assigning that to the circumstances around them (Mills, 1959). There are three main theoretical perspectives in the sociological world: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Functionalist “see society as a structure of interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of the individuals in that society” (Keirns et al., 2015, p.15). Conflict theorists see society “as a competition for limited resources” (Keirns et al., 2015, p. 16), while symbolic interactionist focus on the relationships among individuals within society (Keirns et al., 2015, p. 18). Sociology focuses on how a society functions and how each individual fits within that society utilizing the scientific methods as a basis for research.