[The Black Coup]

I'm a student currently carrying out research for my sociology coursework, my title is "Britain- An integrated society, A white yes, a Black maybe". I would like to know some views and perspectives, please feel free to contribute your opinions.

This is my entire research project so far, so please take the time to read and contribute....Thank you

Britain:-An Integrated society, “A White yes, a Black maybe”

Chapter 1:-Rationale

I will be investigating the marginalisation of Afro-Caribbean and Africans focusing specifically on their experiences with the criminal justice system, whether this experience has been influenced by their experiences in education. I will be following those of Afro-Caribbean and African descent. The sociologist Gilborn believed that the ethnocentric school system already placed the Black British males at a disadvantage, as the school system is a middle-class institution, these very same males are the children of immigrants with their own cultures and values, unfamiliar with the British middle-class values; already lacking the cultural capital to succeed they already become marginalised in the classroom.
Investigating this particular subject intrigues me as a male of African descent I would like to investigate the plight faced by many of my peers, and what is it that leads many to live such a dysfunctional life-style. A UK statistic shows there are more males in some form of correctional facility than in higher education, this is quite a disturbing fact, through this sociological study I aim to investigate the multitude of factors leading to mass marginalisation. In the past few decades the first generation of African and Caribbean settlers, were integrated into society and have come to be known as Black British, however unlike their Pakistani or Indian counterparts, this generation of children have grown up and marginalised as much as their migrant parents, in regards to their role in society.
The Black British are heavily under-represented in mainstream society, often scare in the positions of employment such as upper management. Recently a spate of shootings in London amidst the inner-city black communities has resulted in media attention focusing upon the roles of these tragic young men and their threat to British society. The conditions in which these tragic young lives are raised are rarely confronted.

Aims Objectives
1 Explore whether academic under-achievement plays a significant role in the dysfunctional delinquents. Looking at secondary data from Government statistics on Afro-Caribbean male achievement at SATS and GCSE.
In the context analysis, look at sociological theorists link between ethnicity and education.
2 Identify whether the over-population of Blacks in the criminal justice system has led many to become marginalised. Combination of secondary data and primary data, using government statistics concerning the Black prison population and a series of interviews with those who have been incarcerated.
3 Explore Black British employment and the extent to which the ethnic group has been marginalised into certain job roles. Looking at government employment statistics and gathering primary data on a mass online survey, targeting roughly 200 individuals of Afro-Caribbean origin
Hypothesis:
There is a positive correlation between educational underachievement and the over representation of black males in the prison system.

Chapter 2:-Context

In Britain there is a high incidence of Black British marginalisation. Such marginalisation not only stems from prejudices but also from social deprivation in the many aspects of their lives. The background issues I intend to explore as stated in my aims is whether academic underachievement is the primary root cause for social deviance. Social deviance comes as a result of frustration from the lack of prospects many of these youths. These youths live in decaying urban wastelands, in which the social structure of community, remain as rustic as the buildings which house them.
The arrival of the HMS Empire Wind rush in 1948 marked the beginning of multicultural Britain. Migrants from the West Indies and Caribbean arrived in Britain in search of work with limited cultural capital, due to poor education and lack of understanding of the British system. Prejudices and poor cultural capital left many marginalised into the most laborious and poor paying jobs.
The low social status of these migrants left many to raise their young families in impoverished conditions, always with the prospective view of their children progressing further up the social ladder. However the education systems in many of the migrant areas were poorly equipped and remained prejudice towards this new generation of Black British. Coard (1971) published ‘How the West Indian child is made Educationally Subnormal in the British School System’, he found that institutional racism and ethnocentric testing in schools, undermined the intelligence of these Black British youth. Over thirty years on the problem still remains in British schools as Black boy were three times more likely to be excluded from school as white boys. Coard was a Marxist sociologist, therefore exploring education from a Marxist perspective the education system in Britain limits potential of the Black working classes to ensure they maintain their inferior position in society(in reference to aim 1). Rosenthal and Jacobson’s labelling theory (1996) indicates that Teachers label the Black British youths as limited in ability or lacking any prospects. Being labelled by teachers, the pupils then respond accordingly and do not achieve beyond their own low expectations.

Percentage of Afro-Caribbean males achieving 5A*-C’s at GCSE is just 36% much lower than their white counter-parts at 53% (irr.org.uk published 21/12/05, accessed 9/10/07). Such a low level of achievement, often leads many to a life of idleness. This low expectation in school can only be compensated by raising their own self-esteem through acts of deviance.
A large proportion of those involved in acts of deviance are eventually caught and imprisoned, establishing the link between underachievement in the education system and . Due to prejudices within the courts Black males are now “Nine times more likely to be locked up than white counterparts” (blink.org.uk published 24/02/05 accessed 21/06/07). Marxist’s will view the increasing prison population of the working Class as being a system of control. Although prison is meant to be a rehabilitation institute to enter back into society, the transition back into society is often hindered by the inability to gain economic viability, through employment. Due to the large proportion of Afro-Caribbean males entering society out of prison, the majority of Afro-Caribbean males are then viewed as criminals.

The prejudice placed against Afro-Caribbean’s marginalises them in society, especially in the different employment sectors. As stated in my aims, I believe the Black British population has been marginalised to fulfil certain roles. Such a belief remains in-line with the Marxist belief that there is constant class conflict in all areas of society. The class conflict although not race based also happens to coincide with the ethnic groups who are a majority of the lower economic scales of society. There have been growing concerns as to where the Black British middle-class professionals are and what roles they play in society.
Many claim Black professionals are not visible, due to such disadvantages young black professionals find in the job market “Hopes that education and better qualifications would hold the key to overcoming job disadvantage among young black men have been disappointed”(jrf.org.uk published 22/11/99 accessed 28/06/07).
Due to prejudices or failings within the education system sectors of employment requiring a high level of education, such as a Company Executive or Investment Banker are rarely fulfilled by members of the Black British community.
If an individual completes higher education sometimes the chances of obtaining an elusive graduate position becomes an incredulous task “UK Black unemployment figure is 13% in comparison to White unemployment of 5%” (tuc.org.uk published 2005 accessed 22/10/07). Although the majority of the Black British population at 60% are in some form of employment, this majority occupies many low-skilled, labour orientated jobs, further highlighting the marginalisation into particular sector, typifying the functionalist view that all class conflicts are necessary to maintain the equilibrium of society. However although marginalisation of Black British are caused by various factors, I shall explore the extent to which this marginalisation remains prevalent in Britain.

[mike pain]

1. link between social exclusion and delinquency: you need to look back further most of the kids/teenagers that are excluded come form one parent families, or single mothers who are very young.
2. again I would say that the over representation of blacks in the criminal system is a symptom of an under lying problem and not a direct cause of social exclusion.
3. yes I agree with this statement to some extent. But the marginalisation of British males through being overly represented in low paying manual work is again a symptom of a deeper underlying problem.

…just a point though, you might want to considering fleshing out the initial argument. You could divide ‘blacks’ in to sub-ethnic groups
· Caribbean’s ( Jamaicans , Barbados etc...and the historically low achievements )
· West Africans ( Nigerians, Ghanaians and the relatively high achievements
· North black Africans ( Ethiopians/ somalians: who have achievement levels that are even lower than Caribbean’s . this is mainly due to the fact that many are refugees and often come with many social problems).



It’s a good starting point to look at (areas of urban deprivation). You could look at the awful housing afro-Caribbean families were almost forced to live in ( during the 1980’s, and just prior to the Brixton riots ( see the link below)

Brixton riot (1981 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

you could also google the “scarman report” on the aftermath of the riots and read up on possible causes.
…you might want to talk about the comparisons between other “visible ethnic groups” ( and by visible I mean any ethnic group of colour Indians /Vietnamese / and of course blacks as opposed to other invisible ethnic groups ( Jews, Bulgarians even white Americans and other white Europeans)

…. But you shouldn’t make the essay/thesis all doom and gloom…
you could talk about steps being taken to combat the often negative image afro-Caribbean’s ( and especially afro Caribbean males have) for example if you follow the link below you will see a recently published top 100 most influential uk blacks, you’ll be pleasantly surprised..

Top 100 'most influential' black people in UK unveiled | 24dash.com - Communities


.......good luck