Analysis of John Howard Griffin’s “Black Like Me” Essay

John Howard griffon vultures look into should undeniably be considered sociological. He began with a surmise, if he became black he could service of process understand the difficulties amid races as both a white man and a black man in the south and with this knowledge get a imagines to bridge the gap. With this knowledge he developed a micro-theory, onerous to explain a limited part of human air why is there hate among blacks and whites? He collected his data in a process of explanatory look for. He needed to test his theory in frame to elaborate existing explanations. He poised entirely his data and went d unmatched all research methods in the hopes of explaining his theory. He followed the research process developed a question, took into account what would be needed to attend the question, decided how to get this and conducted it as ethical as a black-white southerner could. He chip in a meta-analysis in examining the schooling.griffon improved the description of the kindred while developing explanations for the cause of such(prenominal) activity and aimed to advance research in this atomic number 18a by gathering new knowledge. Finally, when he gathered all his information he released it to the mass media. Although it takes the form of a journal it should suave be considered sociological research. The diary method is, in occurrence, beneficial. sooner of conducting a cross sectional form of research in which information is gathered at one particular time, wire-haired pointing griffon, using the diary, conducted a longitudinal study. With such a study change croupful be set and a broader understanding will develop in the hopes of answering the research question. Of coarse when such a research method as a diary is utilize questions arise as to its validity and reliability.It can be presume that the reliability of Griffins work is quite substantial. He had an insider perspective out-of-pocket to his covert observation and parti cipant observation. His information was derived from a large population across more than one state, while still focusing on the southern split of America. whatsoever the persons mentioned in the diary shared the a alike(p) belief whites were limiting the black potential. Then it essential be asked whether the diary was biased or non. Since it was, in reality, a diary, the information published could be selective. This then questions the validity of theresearch. There is no query that Griffin had opinions on the topic before it was investigated. However, the research was also real generaliz adequate to(p). This should help to alleviate many of the doubts towards the ethics of the means of research. Since human air is very complex it is difficult to narrow down the independent variable. All doubts on validity aside, the research was conducted in a method of sociological nature. It was a combination of participant observation, covert observation and unstructured interviews.Fo r example, Griffin had conversations at the YMCA with other black men, or on the tidy sum between parvenu siege of Orleans and Mississippi. These werent done with an outlined set of questions they were conducted by way of one oppressed African-American to another. In conducting his research in such an unobtrusive manner Griffin helped the media identify the setting, the human and sociable environment, their activities and carriages, and non-verbal communication. In this method Griffin wasnt looking to prove causality, quite looking to support his argument in hope for change. With all this taken into account it can be summarized that Griffin followed the research process and used sociological methods.Norms are generally rigd as an aspect in society in which an expected behavior binds a authorized sort of deal. However, norms can be applied to many different areas. It can mean placing a set standard for masterment on a certain communal grouping ground on the accomplishments of the average person from that grouping. It can also mean a characteristic that is representative of a mixer group. Or norms can be considered a common practice, belief or custom . However when dealing with norms it must be understood that they apply differently depending on the context of the situation. Much like social norms interchange from healthy norms. Social norms were the predominant force Griffin encountered passim his research. Although legal norms played a particular part, judgment was based on the structures of common belief, not necessarily judicial.For example, the whites of the southern United States were holding the assumption that the blacks were knowledgeablely demented and intellectually impaired (Griffin, 1962 p. 114). The southern white majority assumed that African-Americans were so open abouttheir sex lives that they even performed activities in the streets and in front of children. They also believed that the blacks wanted white woman sexually and tha t due to their lack of education all they knew was their natural instinct to reproduce. They assumed this behavior to be applicable to all African-American men. As Griffin tries to explain, he can find no inferiority amongst the blacks These characteristics dont parachute from whiteness or blackness, but from a mans instruct (Griffin, 1962 p. 92).Role taking is a critical part of fostering any sober understanding of a relevant society. It involves looking at things from a different viewpoint. This assists us in understanding how different groups perceive us. We amaze to know what we look like through others eyes. In rig to achieve this we must first understand their mind frame. John Howard Griffin goes through great lengths to achieve this. He understands that it is practically impossible for him to safey labour what life is like for a black man, while being a white man in the southern United States. Thus he undergoes pigment therapy that redefines his life. Griffin darkens hi s skin in order to appear as though he were a black American, in the hopes to achieve an aboveboard account of African-American life in the deep south. By infiltrating the apparently distinct society and adapting to the practices of that society Griffin has undergone role taking. When in New Orleans, Griffins first area of research as a black southerner, he quickly learns of the limitations enforced totally by the fact that his skin color was different. By becoming the minority studied, Griffin was not solo able to study, first hand, the accounts of racism, but he was also able to emotionally attach himself to the African-American society.Alienation is the separation between move or the whole of the personality and significant aspects of the world of experience. This term can see many meanings depending on the situation and for whom it is intended. In terms of Griffins book, alienation was the physical segregation and the emotional touching of difference and unequal opportuni ties based on skin color. Alienation was evident throughout Griffins experiences. Separate waiting rooms at bus stations, separate washrooms and fountains, isolated livingareas, the inability to purchase food and drinks at certain stores, the inability to rest in certain areas, unequal argumentation and education abilities, all formed the feeling of alienation. (Griffin, 1962 p. 92) Griffin realized that this division, both physical and emotional would progress to to be over neck in order to attain a greater appreciation as a race.Griffin and many blacks alike position education was the key to destroying the norm of alienation. partake job opportunities Thats the answer to much of the tragedy of our young people (Griffin, 1962 p. 44). According to Griffin there were two problems that caused this alienation and lack of motivation to change, they were the discrimination against the Negro and his discrimination against himself (Griffin, 1962 p. 45). According to Griffin then, it w as not only the fault of the whites that the blacks were in the situation they were, it was partly the fault of the blacks as well.Stereotypes are formed when the characteristics of a certain group of people are based on the generalized characteristics of a few. They are most often used to simplify that which we concur difficulty understanding, in order to make it more predictable. As W.I. Thomas taught, what we believe to be true will be true in its consequences. Throughout history racial stereotypes have evermore existed. Perhaps, though, the most dominant stereotypes have been placed against African-Americans. They have been thought of as uneducated, immature, unmotivated, criminal, violent and sexual predators. However, as Griffin points out, the sins the whites commit are the same as the blacks. Except for the fact that blacks are deprived of the pleasures of the spirits. They feel like a lesser person so in order to acquire that feeling of accomplishment and manhood they eng age in such activities (Griffin, 1962. p. 91-93).After all, it is the white man who, all through the book, is intrigued by the sexual natures of the black race. It is the whites who hire black prostitutes and it is the whites who violently punish the blacks. Not only are the stereotypes revealed, they are identified as completely illegitimate. In one instance on a bus in New Orleans Griffin attempted to offer an elderly lady a back by indicating with his eyes that there was an empty one beside him. He thought she would be sympathetic, however she disrespectfully replied, Whatre you looking at me like that for? Implying that there were sexual desires instead of kindness behind his offering(Griffin, 1962 p 25).Reductionism in sociological research places limits on what can be considered as causes when attempting to explain a range of human behavior. Griffin may have been affected by reductionism due to the fact that he was compose a sociological paper. As a result he may have focuse d on such limited topics as norms, stereotypes and alienation. An economist, however, may have looked at the economic prosperity in the south compared to other parts to explain the racial tensions. Perhaps even the government would be to nibble for enforcing racism through propaganda and unequal laws. A biological reductionism would be trying to reduce the problem down to the genes of the human being or as a revolutionary process. In order to achieve a full understanding of the situation, all accounts should be measured, not only those which apply to a specific field. Therefore, the validity and reliability of the research can be questioned.For example, in Griffins book, he focuses only on the stereotypes of society, not where they come from. He doesnt attempt to answer why whites feel abhorrence towards the blacks, only that it exists. Perhaps the underlying problem is purely situational. The south is cognise for its farms and small communities, but does this problem exist in th e larger cities throughout North America? And if it doesnt, why not? If it doesnt exist than it is strictly environmental. Griffin mentions that there are those people who are not in reality racist, but they business organisation showing any sympathy towards another race. What causes this fear? There must be some form of pressure from somewhere that causes this racism. All these questions must be answered in order to truly define the problems between African-Americans and Caucasians. Griffin did a fine job in writing the introduction to racism, however he left the body blank.