Employers can now Legally Discriminate against People with Deadlocks!

                       

Last year in 2016, a federal appeals court ruled that banning an employee from wearing their hair in dread locks is not racial discrimination. The 11 Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a case brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against an Alabama  company that refused to hire a woman because of her dreadlocks. The EEOC tried to fight the business for violating Title  VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
However the Courts disagreed in a 3-0 decision saying  that dreadlocks though "culturally associated with race," aren't an "immutable characteristic of black persons." I find this appalling because dreadlocks are a popular hairstyle among the black community. I see this ruling as covert racism and discrimination against African Americans. I am growing my hair out and as a black man, and I realize that I will be discriminated against in society because of it. This is a example of social inequality that is supported by institutional power.

Week 2: Inequality in U.S. is becoming worse

While surfing the web I came across an article from CNN money that talked about the worsening situation of wealth inequality in America. The gap between the "Haves" and "Have Nots" is increasing, the top 1% is making an average of $1.3 million a year while the bottom 50% of Americans have earned an average of $16,000 in pre-tax income. The American Dream is almost no more, its becoming to hard to get ahead in this economy. The top 1% take 20% of all U.S. income, the rich get richer, and the middle class and working poor's wages haven't increased. The sad reality is that because of the wealth inequality more college grads are starting off their young adult hood in debt, owing student loans. This can cause a delay in an individuals life which directly affects the economy because then that college grad cant afford to live on his or her own. Their employment plans are affected, and they might be more susceptible to take a job unrelated to their field, or  they are forced to work more than one job to make ends meet. This leads many individuals to believe their educational experience is/was not worth the cost.
I am directly affected by the inequality of wealth because, the government believes my parents make to much money (Not true), therefore I barely get any financial assistance and am forced to take out +$20,000 loans per semester, just to attend school. Being an out-of-state student doesn't help my cause, but its ridiculous to think how unfair college tuition can be. Because of the high costs, I will graduate in more debt then what i started school with, essentially making it harder for me to succeed  in the real world.

About Myself

My name is Lewis, I am 22 years old. My major is Sociology and this is my senior year in college. My favorite food to eat is hot wings and fried chicken. I love the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Wizards. I'm from PG County Laurel, Maryland and for three years of my college career I was a student athlete. I had the opportunity to play Division II and III football and I consider myself blessed. Throughout my college career I've managed to keep my grades up and even made the Deans List. After I graduate, I aspire to get a well paying job or attend Grad School. I plan to get heavily involved with environmental issues, civil right, animal rights and the decriminalization movement.

Over the past four years being an out of state student in two different states, I have learned that the inequality in America is a major problem. There are many social justice issues that are constantly being overlooked. Although I have been directly affected in this classist society I realize I have to fight for change and a voice. School has taught me that life is not perfect, and can be unfair. That is why everyday I remind myself to try harder and to never give up.

Week 2: Different Views

This graph is an example of social inequality because it shows the different views of Black and Whites on how the country will make necessary changes for racial equality. One interesting aspect this graph shows is that 43% of Black people don't believe the country will make changes needed to give black equal rights with whites. Only 11% of whites believe our country will no make the changes. This shows a huge disparity in public opinion, and shows the lack of faith Blacks have in the system. Only 8% of Blacks believe our country has has made the changes needed to give Black equal rights with Whites, compared to 38% of Whites believing the country has made the necessary changes. This graph not only represents doubt people have but explains how some groups think inequality among races doesn't exist or has been "fixed".

Time to Move to Canada

We choose this meme to represent what many Americans wanted to do, which was move to Canada to escape the new President Donald Trump. His irrational behavior and personality brought social dispute all across America. It represents social inequality because he does not support the minority nor women's right. 

-Lewis 

-Natalie

- Asia