Explain Black Lives Matter social inequality and social change
Introduction: Black Lives Matter, social inequality and social change
As discussed throughout semester, sociologists are concerned with studying how society is, how it came to be and how it could be. In conjunction with this, sociologists examine social institutions, systems and structures and consider how they shape lives and life chances. More specifically, sociologists look at how life chances are disproportionately distributed throughout society. They look at the interconnections between structure and agency, and alongside this, consider how power operates to reinforce social inequality or social division. On the other hand, sociologists – concerned with questions of how society could or should be – also examine processes of social change. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement
embodies all of these sociological concerns. It is, on the one hand, emblematic of social inequality, and on the other, evidence of how social change can occur. It is then, the focus of this case study.
Case Study materials:
To complete this take-home exam, students are asked to read the following resources and articles about the Black Lives Matter movement in Australia and the United States of America. These articles form the base of your case study:
Question:
Having considered the issues raised in these articles, which comprise the case study, and drawing on AT LEAST 4 ACADEMIC SOURCES, students should provide a 1000-word response to the following question:
How can the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in Australia and/or the USA be understood sociologically? In answering this question, students must focus on two or more of the following topics:
- structure and agency
- power
- the enduring nature of social inequality
- social change
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