Class as the New Race: The Need to Also Focus on Class to Solve Equity Issues
Research or Creativity Area
Social Sciences
Abstract
Since 2020, there has been an embrace of race as the primary identity to focus on when it comes to solving equity issues. This focus has allowed for there to be the creation of policies and research that can be more properly aimed at BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities that have been historically disenfranchised. This disenfranchisement came primarily from laws created to target BIPOC, barring them from owning houses where they want, beneficial loans, and more. As a result, BIPOC, specifically Black and Brown people, have been forced into the lower class of America, the policies working so well, that these groups being in the lower class and experiencing disparities because of it has become quite normalized; race and class have become inseparable.
So, it makes sense that, to remedy the wrongs caused by policies targeted towards BIPOC so they would be in the low class of America, that race should again be the main focus. However, I believe this course of action is misguided and too late. Instead, we should focus on class – the ultimate effect of the racist policies. This would truly begin to help dismantle the equity issues being experienced in America, and it is addressing these issues in a more proactive way.
As such, my research question is “How can a heavier emphasis on class be used to address racial inequities?” I will be analyzing: (1) the history of racial policies in America and their connection to class; (2) the history, purpose, and recent rulings for Affirmative Action; (3) history of using class to solve racial inequity; (4) ways class can be used for Affirmative Action to help solve racial inequities; and (5) the benefits of helping solve class issues that encapsulate everyone, not limited to BIPOC.
Location
Don and Karen DeRosa University Center (DUC) Room 214
Start Date
27-4-2024 10:45 AM
End Date
27-4-2024 11:00 AM
Class as the New Race: The Need to Also Focus on Class to Solve Equity Issues
Don and Karen DeRosa University Center (DUC) Room 214
Since 2020, there has been an embrace of race as the primary identity to focus on when it comes to solving equity issues. This focus has allowed for there to be the creation of policies and research that can be more properly aimed at BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities that have been historically disenfranchised. This disenfranchisement came primarily from laws created to target BIPOC, barring them from owning houses where they want, beneficial loans, and more. As a result, BIPOC, specifically Black and Brown people, have been forced into the lower class of America, the policies working so well, that these groups being in the lower class and experiencing disparities because of it has become quite normalized; race and class have become inseparable.
So, it makes sense that, to remedy the wrongs caused by policies targeted towards BIPOC so they would be in the low class of America, that race should again be the main focus. However, I believe this course of action is misguided and too late. Instead, we should focus on class – the ultimate effect of the racist policies. This would truly begin to help dismantle the equity issues being experienced in America, and it is addressing these issues in a more proactive way.
As such, my research question is “How can a heavier emphasis on class be used to address racial inequities?” I will be analyzing: (1) the history of racial policies in America and their connection to class; (2) the history, purpose, and recent rulings for Affirmative Action; (3) history of using class to solve racial inequity; (4) ways class can be used for Affirmative Action to help solve racial inequities; and (5) the benefits of helping solve class issues that encapsulate everyone, not limited to BIPOC.
