Research Topic Selection

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Running head: TOPIC SELECTION 1 Research Topic Selection Warren Hines HSCO 500 Introduction to Human Services Counseling Professor Dr P. John Brunstetter May 20, 2016

TOPIC SELECTION 2 Research Topic Selection As an African-American male and sociology graduate pursuing a career in the social services field, a chief concern of interest of mine is the disproportionate rate at which African- American males are incarcerated in the US. In a 2003 study performed by Trymaine Lee, show that black males are imprisoned at a rate six times that of white males. Additionally, Lee concluded that 1 in 3 black males born in 2001 will be imprisoned at some point of their life (Lee, 2003). These horrifying statistics are among the many reason that I have chosen to focus my research paper on this social problem. As a part of my selection process I will identify the key issue(s), evaluate the population affected by the issue(s), and determine some challenges to combating the issue(s). A social problem is produced by societal conditions that must be changed for the good of society (Korgen & Furst, 2012). The disproportionate incarceration rates of African-American males compared to other races or ethnic groups in the US, falls well within the realms of being a social problem. This particular issue is part of a larger systemic concern where black males are being profiled, targeted and prosecuted more harshly than other groups. There are some many underlying social woes wrapped in this issue; including racial profiling, discrimination, stereotyping, and judicial and political injustices to name a few. These conditions have place an enormous wedge in society, creating great strain amongst individuals and within communities. African-Americans as a whole only make up roughly 13% of the US population. However, African-American males account for 44% of the US prison population (Stapleford, 2008). While there are several factors and stigmatisms imposed by society on black males that help keep this problem ragging, there are also some self-imposed handicaps as well. Just

TOPIC SELECTION 3 because the world labels these young men violent, lazy, drug dealing losers; that does not mean that they have to play the part. African-American males account for 50% of the dropouts in the US school system, leaving themselves few options to improve the impoverished situation (Alliance for Excellent Education, 2009; Bridgeland, Dilulio, & Morrison, 2006; Editorial Projects in Education, 2008; The Civil Rights Project, 2005). Although, there are several cases of injustices such as wrongful convictions and profiling cases against affluent blacks; the socioeconomic shortfalls created by the lack of skill and options, due to dropping out of school or felony convictions, have proven to be an endorsement of participation. Being a product of one’s environment can be a lifetime sentence in itself. It takes a strong person to stay the course under the direst circumstances; but to willingly stay in an environment that chains you into poverty and persecution, does not make sense. Unless, you remain in an attempt to make a difference in the community. Resolving any issue will be challenging to some degree, and this is especially true when attempting to overcome a social issue of this magnitude. There are tremendous political, psychological and historical barriers that will present obstacles. On the political front, there need to be legislation passed which prevents the courts from handing down stiff penalties to one group/class of people and merely slapping the wrist of others; and this legislation needs to extend to not allow police to stop, harass and apprehend without cause. The tricky part here is not trying mandate/regulate how a judge presides over cases or polices perform their duties, it will also take a great deal of bipartisanship from political leaders. Once the political aspect has been navigated, the next hurdle to overcome would be the psychological facet of changing the mindset of society and the population being affected. If the public does not buy-in to the changes being administered and fight the system and/or African-American males continue to display risky

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TOPIC SELECTION 4 violent behavior, then we will be dealing with a different set of concerns that erodes society even more. A lot of these psychological factors stem from the historical issues that we are still dealing with in America today. The racial tension in the country has all ways been a hot button. Whites around the country are nervous because they think that blacks are subject to do anything because they blame them for all their problems; and blacks distrust whites because of hundreds of years of mistreatment and oppression. When you throw in the history of all the court decisions that went against African-Americans, the racism, hangings, and persecutions; and still today police and private citizens are getting away with killing black males, the political, psychological and historical factors will present a near impossible obstacle to overcome. The basis of the project should come together nicely as there are a plethora of ways to address this topic, evaluate the affected population and identify the challenges of resolving the issue. In fact the challenge will be narrowing down the information and presenting it in a non- bias manner.

TOPIC SELECTION 5 References Alliance for Excellent Education, 2009; Bridgeland, Dilulio, & Morrison, 2006; Editorial Projects in Education, 2008; The Civil Rights Project, 2005 Korgen, K. & Furst, G. (2012). Social problems: Causes & responses. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu Lee, T. D. (2003, Sep 05). Study: Black Men Face Prison More; A Justice Department Report Says Rate of Black Incarceration Growing. Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/337780509?accountid=32521 Stapleford, J. E. (2008). A Torturous Journey: The Condition of Black America. Christian Scholar's Review, 37 (2), 231-251. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/201262501?accountid=32521

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