In this episode, we explore the structural and cultural construction of identity and inequality, drawing on Chapter 12 of Michele Dillon’s Introduction to Sociological Theory: Theorists, Concepts, and Their Applicability to the Twenty-First Century. We examine the persistent "problem of the color-line" and how the historical legacies of slavery and colonialism continue to shape modern social status and political opportunity.The discussion dives into the creation of "Otherness"—the process by which dominant powers represent minority groups as different or inferior—and the psychological toll of "double-consciousness," where marginalized individuals must view themselves through the eyes of a prejudiced society. We also tackle contemporary issues, including the "new racism" focused on cultural rather than biological differences, the complex intersection of race and class, and the role of Black popular culture in both reflecting and challenging social disintegration. Finally, we consider whether society can move toward a "planetary humanism" that transcends racial categorization to recognize a shared human experience.
#Sociology #RaceTheory #Otherness #WEBDuBois #Racism #SocialInequality #PostColonialism #BlackIdentity #PlanetaryHumanism #SociologicalTheory #SocialJustice #MicheleDillon