There are significant links between ‘race’ and class. This is explained in that racism can be seen as an ideology, dividing the working class by creating an environment that sees the continuation of capitalism, by discouraging working-class unity.

The social stratification or social class system refers to the hierarchical distinctions between individuals or groups within society. In British society, an individual’s social class is determined by their occupation; educational successes; income; and material possessions such as property. Usually, the upper classes have more power within society, and therefore have greater life chances than those in the lower classes; such as the Underclass, or the divided working class.

The Underclass is located at the foot of the Social Stratification system: people classified to be in this class are usually homeless and unemployed. Additionally, they can experience extreme poverty and are often more marginalised within society. The Underclass is divided into two perspectives, the structural and the behavioural. In definition, people who fall into the structural perspective are often those who have been made redundant, and are seen as having no responsibility in their place within the stratification system. Whereas, according to sociologists like Charles Murray, people who fall into the Behavioural category have chosen to be there as they cannot be bothered to obtain employment and are responsible for increasing crime rates, and incurring extra costs on the taxpayer.

The Working-Class is divided into three categories; the skilled manual, usually consisting of people with a trade such as electricians; the semi-skilled manual such as drivers; and then the unskilled manual such as labourers. Usually the skilled manual workers are more affluent and prefer to see themselves as Middle-Class as opposed to Working-Class.

To ascertain the positions of ethnic minority groups with Britain’s employment, it is necessary to examine some empirical and factual evidence. In 2004 Bangladeshi and Pakistani people were more likely to be out of work compared to White people. Black Caribbean and Asian people were more likely to be employed, than any other ethnic minority group. In general, women are more likely to be employed than men; however, the divide is greater with women from ethnic minority groups. Again, Bangladeshi and Pakistani women were more likely to be out of work than men of the same ethnicity. Interestingly in 2004, Asian males were almost as likely to be in full-time work as White males albeit low paid. This information shows that people from Black African, Bangladeshi and Pakistani minority groups, are more likely to be located at the foot of the social class system; and thus, more likely to experience poverty.

Poverty by definition is usually determined by three factors; access to work; extra costs; and a failure in policy. Divisions such as social class, gender, ethnicity, disability, and old age, along with the 1945 welfare state policy failure in identifying issues such as racism, has left these groups enormously vulnerable to poverty.

Ethnic minority groups such as Afro-Caribbean or Asians are more likely to experience poverty, than any other group. A contemporary illustration shows that more than half of Black African people live in low-income households. Asian and Afro-Caribbean people are more likely to be in low paid employment; and therefore, more likely to live in bad quality inappropriate, unsuitable housing. This is due, in part, to racial prejudice and discrimination; a factor that affects all areas of a person’s life.

In definition, racial prejudice is the preconceived opinion of a person or a group based on their ethnicity. This stereotyping is used as an easy option in formulating an impression of that person or group, and usually leads to discrimination. Racial discrimination, in definition, is the act of treating someone differently and unfairly, based on the ethnicity of that person or group. This is present in areas such as housing or employment; whereby, a person is not given the same opportunities as others because of their ethnicity.

In the 1950s, migration of Afro-Caribbean’s was encouraged to alleviate labour shortages. Wages were poorly paid and discrimination in housing forced migrants into already deprived less popular inner city areas. This racial discrimination forced migrant groups into poor quality homes that were only just fit for habitation. Then, in the 1970s, a recession made these jobs redundant: subsequently, a large percentage of Black people became unemployed, compounding deprivation. In response to this discrimination, Asian families purchased property together: reflecting the strength of the extended family. Living together gave theses families’ greater financial stability. However, Afro-Caribbean people did not have the cultural interest, or the family support network to be able to purchase property; therefore, they privately rented as just a nuclear family, or single person household, living in some of the worst housing conditions.

Homeless statistics show, there are significant increases in the number of Black African homeless applications as a whole, whilst the number of white British applicants (families and single men), noticeably decreases. This could be as a result of the continued existence of institutional racism and the impact that it has on minority groups.

The effects from the migration of the 1950s, and the prejudice and discrimination exhibited since, are still seen today. People from Black African groups are often more likely to live in inappropriate housing in deprived inner-city areas: along with Black males underachieving at school, there is an increased chance of poverty; thus, being located in either the unskilled Working-Class or Underclass positions of the Social Stratification system. Asian extended families are more likely to live in overcrowded conditions with extended members of their family.

Further discussions pertaining to this topic are continued in the slides below: