For this Reaction Paper you need to write a 1200–1400-word paper that relates to the topic of either racial inequality and stratification OR Oppositional Culture Theory. The first line of your paper should state an argument that the reader can either agree or disagree with. That is, I expect and require that your first sentence of your paper begins “I argue that…”. Your classmates will be asked, in their feedback papers, to

either agree or disagree with your argument, so this is an important aspect of your paper. The rest of your paper should be used to both demonstrate your mastery/understanding of the assigned material that relates to your chosen topic and persuade the reader of your argument.

Regardless of which of the following two topic options you choose for your Argument Paper #2, the best papers will critically engage the relevant ideas presented on this topic. While relating to these questions on a personal level is encouraged, I also want to see you weave in a discussion of the readings that reflects your close reading of the assigned material and thoughtful reflection of the ideas presented in class. Option 1: Racial Inequality and Stratification The readings (and related presentations) that are particularly relevant to racial inequality and stratification are:

Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. “Rethinking Racism: Towards a Structural Interpretation” Oliver, Melvin L. and Thomas M. Shapiro. “Black Wealth/White Wealth: A New Perspective on Racial Inequality” Johnson, Heather Beth. The American Dream and the Power of Wealth. Rothstein, Richard. The Color of Law Video: Race: The Power of an Illusion. The House We Live In. Wilkerson, Isabel. Caste. If you select this topic, you should

address the following types of questions related to yourself, and potentially others, in a way that reflects your lived experience as related to the issues of racial inequality and stratification: How do you perceive your race/ethnicity has influenced your social position in society? To what degree to you feel your family’s socioeconomic status (e.g., parental education, family income, wealth) has been influenced by historical factors discussed in the readings? How, if at all, do you perceive your family’s socioeconomic status has influenced the educational opportunities available to you? Finally, do you feel that you, or members of your family, have been discriminated against due to your race, and if so, how

consequential was the impact of this discrimination? Option 2: Oppositional Culture Theory The readings (and related presentations) that are particularly relevant to Oppositional Culture Theory are: Ogbu, John U. “Immigrant and Involuntary Minorities in Comparative Perspective”

Ainsworth-Darnell, James W. and Douglas B. Downey. “Assessing the Oppositional Culture Explanation for Racial/Ethnic Differences in School Performance” Farkas, George, Christy Lleras, and Steve Maczuga. Does Oppositional Culture Exist in Minority and Poverty Peer Groups?

Downey, Douglas and James Ainsworth. The Search for Oppositional Culture among Black Students. If you select this topic, you should address the following types of questions related to yourself, and potentially others, in a way that reflects your lived experience as related to the issues of

oppositional culture. Do involuntary minorities resist school values more than their white or immigrant minority peers? Is student resistance due to perceptions of a job ceiling? Does the “burden of acting white” exist?

If so, does this burden explain racial disparities in school performance?

If oppositional culture is not the cause of racial disparities in school performance, what is?