Research Paper on:
Racism and Social Stratification

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
In an article submitted by a student called "Ranking" the author explains: "When we have a lot of information to keep straight, we put things and ideas into general  categories, which we then name." It is an idea that makes sense. At the same time, categorizing people can be detrimental, particularly if they are on the lower end of  the social spectrum. The evidence of social stratification is something easily witnessed in society. One can walk into Bloomingdales and be asked "Can I help you?" by a  smiling sales clerk or instead followed around by a security guard. How can one tell that an individual is of a certain class? It is not hard because ones demeanor,  speech, style and quality of dress, the automobile they drive or do not drive, and their hair and nails and all of those little things give class status away. One  can see that by and large, economics enter the picture. Those at the top are generally wealthy where those at the bottom are often poor. It is not always that  way and people can break out of their social class, but it is hard. Jewel is an example of a pop icon who was once homeless. Individuals can go from  that lowest category to the highest, but it is very rare. Social stratification is obvious, but unfortunately, being born into a strata of society can affect peoples life chances. The  old stereotype that the only way to get out of the ghetto is through basketball or rap has some truth. People are born into a certain class and it is  difficult to break out of it. The concept of social stratification as viewed by Marx, Weber and a number of sociologists, seems to be unfair. It is only a way