Discussion: The Progress of Social Change for Equality

Throughout the course, you have examined a variety of concepts and analyzed how they influence and/or relate to racial and ethnic identity. Last week, you specifically considered the challenge of racial and ethnic inequality in health care, an issue that many might say calls for social change. In August 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed racial and ethnic inequality when he shared his dream for social change that would result in the abolition of inequality in America. His speech, though directed at African American inequalities, inspired the dream of equality for all racial and ethnic groups.

Now, years after his landmark speech, you might ask: How much or little progress has been made toward realizing Dr. King's dream of racial and ethnic equality? In answering this question for yourself, think about the concepts that you encountered in this course and how they may have contributed to social change-that is, greater equality for racial and ethnic minorities-or how they may have detracted from equality for racial and ethnic minorities.

To prepare for this Discussion:

- Review the Section IV, "Framework Essay," and Reading 58 in the course text.

- Review the reading: Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream."

- Consider whether you think that progress has been made toward realizing Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream, specifically social change as represented by greater racial and ethnic equality.

- Review the following concepts and issues covered in this course: constructionism, social class, covering, passing, privilege, stigma, objectification, oppositional identity, aversive racism, and assimilation.

- Select two of these issues or concepts, and consider how they support or challenge your position about the realization of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream.

With these thoughts in mind:

Please make sure that each question is in bold letter, with each answer following.

Post the progress that you believe has been made toward realizing Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream for racial and ethnic equality.

Describe the two concepts or issues that you chose and explain how each either has contributed to or detracted from social change, specifically in the form of racial and ethnic equality.