Question 1

What is the starting point for the development of a racially sensitive reflexivity?

Accepted Answer

Applying a sociological imagination upon the self is the starting point for developing a racially sensitive reflexivity because it involves a critical examination of how one's own beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes are shaped by societal structures and historical contexts, including those related to race.

Question 2

What question should we ask ourselves when attempting to assess which forces control our imaginations and affect our thinking and behavior?

Accepted Answer

Each of these questions helps us to critically assess the sources, validity, and influences on our thoughts and beliefs, thereby allowing us to understand the forces that control our imaginations and affect our thinking and behavior.

Question 3

Many whites believe that racial equality already has been achieved, while many nonwhites hold that little has changed since the Civil Rights Movement; yet the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Accepted Answer

Perceptions of racial equality vary significantly between white individuals and nonwhite individuals, with many in the former group believing significant progress has been made, while many in the latter feel that changes since the Civil Rights Movement have been minimal. The reality of racial progress and equality is complex and can be seen as having elements of both perspectives, indicating that some progress has been made but significant disparities and challenges remain.

Question 4

There does not exist in history a time that comes close to the record of America in changing majority attitudes, in guaranteeing legal and political rights, and in expanding socioeconomic opportunities for its disadvantaged minorities.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true because America has a long history of changing majority attitudes, guaranteeing legal and political rights, and expanding socioeconomic opportunities for its disadvantaged minorities.

Question 5

In such a world as ours, to practice social science is, first of all, to practice the politics of truth.

Accepted Answer

Social science inherently involves examining and interpreting human behavior, societies, and structures, which are deeply intertwined with political ideologies, power dynamics, and what is considered "truth" in a given society. Thus, practicing social science often means engaging with and sometimes challenging the prevailing politics of truth.

Question 6

There is no difference between opinion and truth.

Accepted Answer

Opinion is a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty, while truth is a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like.

Question 7

Not all opinions are equal; some are quite wrong and ought to be labeled as such.

Accepted Answer

Opinions can vary greatly in terms of their factual accuracy, logical coherence, and ethical soundness. Some opinions may be based on misinformation, flawed reasoning, or harmful prejudices, making them less valid or acceptable than others that are well-informed, logically sound, and ethically considerate.

Question 8

The real utopia discussed in your chapter relies upon intelligence and rationality - not self-interest, ignorance, blind opinions, tradition, or ideology to govern their conduct.

Accepted Answer

Real utopias are theoretical or practical societal models that prioritize intelligence and rationality in decision-making processes, aiming to create a society based on fairness, equality, and informed choices rather than being driven by self-interest, ignorance, blind opinions, tradition, or ideology.

Question 9

In a new American democracy, patriotism would be measured by the extent we nod "yes"to everything party officials say rather than by the extent to which we critically evaluate our society and strive to change things for the better.

Accepted Answer

Patriotism in a democracy is often characterized by the ability to critically evaluate society and work towards improvement, rather than by uncritical agreement with party officials.

Question 10

During Jim Crow, racial domination was obvious and legal; but today, racial domination can be more elusive and complicated, ghostlike and difficult to confront.

Accepted Answer

Today, racial domination often operates through systemic biases and institutional practices that are not as overt as the laws during the Jim Crow era, making it more complex and harder to directly address.

Question 11

The hyphenationist says, "You may enter, but only if you leave your old ways behind. You have nothing to teach us; our ways are better than yours. If you'd like to join us, you have to check your culture at the door."

Accepted Answer

The statement does not specifically relate to hyphenation in the context of word division or typography, but rather metaphorically discusses cultural assimilation or exclusion, which is not the role or definition of a hyphenationist.

Question 12

Robert Park's view on race was less Anglo-centric and more upbeat than that of Edward Ross.

Accepted Answer

Robert Park's perspective on race was indeed more optimistic and less centered on Anglo-Saxon superiority compared to Edward Ross. Park, a key figure in the Chicago School of Sociology, emphasized the potential for racial integration and cooperation, whereas Ross held more ethnocentric views that prioritized Anglo-Saxon culture and were pessimistic about the assimilation of different races.

Question 13

Hyphenation encourages a type of hybridization and thereby functions as a midway point between assimilation and multiculturalism.

Accepted Answer

Hyphenation, as seen in terms like "African-American" or "Asian-Canadian," suggests a blending of identities, where individuals maintain aspects of their cultural heritage while integrating into a new society. This represents a balance between fully assimilating (losing one's original cultural identity) and maintaining a distinct, separate cultural identity (multiculturalism), thus acting as a midway point between the two.

Question 14

Hyphenation has also sometimes gone under the banner of "cultural pluralism."

Accepted Answer

Hyphenation, referring to the use of hyphenated identities (e.g., Italian-American), has been associated with cultural pluralism, which emphasizes the coexistence of diverse cultures within a society.

Question 15

Multiculturalism in its purest form abolishes ethnic hierarchies and values, respects, and tries to understand all peoples.

Accepted Answer

Multiculturalism in its purest form aims to eliminate ethnic hierarchies by promoting equality among cultures, and it values, respects, and seeks to understand the diverse backgrounds and traditions of all people.

Question 16

In terms of combating racial domination, it is not a question of if we will change things but how we will for the better or for the worse.

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects an understanding that change in the context of combating racial domination is inevitable; the focus is on the direction and quality of that change, emphasizing the importance of making positive, constructive efforts towards equality and justice.

Question 17

In the 1980s, affirmative action policies were weakened by President Reagan resulting ultimately in transforming affirmative action into diversity training.

Accepted Answer

During the 1980s, under President Reagan's administration, affirmative action policies faced significant scrutiny and were weakened. The administration's approach to civil rights, including its stance on affirmative action, led to a shift towards promoting diversity training in workplaces as a way to address discrimination, rather than the more prescriptive measures of affirmative action that had been more common previously. This shift reflected a broader change in how the government and businesses approached issues of race, gender, and discrimination.

Question 18

When diversity management programs are critically analyzed, these programs are poor substitutes for more aggressive antiracist initiatives.

Accepted Answer

Diversity management programs often focus on surface-level inclusion and representation, without addressing the deeper systemic issues and power imbalances that perpetuate racism. More aggressive antiracist initiatives are necessary to tackle these underlying problems directly.

Question 19

Hanging a poster of Guevara in your room or wearing a political t-shirt is an effect means of joining a revolution or ending racism.

Accepted Answer

Hanging a poster or wearing a political t-shirt is more of a symbolic gesture or expression of personal belief rather than an effective means of actively joining a revolution or ending racism, which typically requires more substantive actions such as organizing, activism, and policy change.

Question 20

The goal for dealing with our own interpersonal racism is not perfection but critical self-engagement, not complete purification but rigorous reflexivity.

Accepted Answer

Addressing interpersonal racism involves ongoing self-awareness and critical engagement with one's biases and behaviors, rather than striving for an unattainable state of perfection or complete absence of prejudice.

Quiz 11: Towards Racial Justice