Functionalism Theory and Social Problems
The purpose of this task with the theory of functionalism and the social problems presented in the reading "degrading the" Yal ": racialization and antinegra violence in Puerto Rico". Sociology is defined as the study of human social relations and institutions. The importance of sociology in the evolution of society is to understand how human action and knowledge are formed and are molded by social and cultural structures. The subject of sociology is diverse, in the limits of crime to religion, from family to the State, of the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and of social stability to radical change in societieswhole (Schettino, 2005).
The theory chosen is functionalism, which is a theory about the nature of mental states. According to functionalists, mental states are identified by what they do, rather than for what they are made. Functionalism is the most familiar or "received" vision between philosophers of the mind and cognitive science. Being functionalism is one of the main proposals that have been offered as solutions to the mind-body problem (Marín, 2011).
In the text, one of the problems presented is racism during the era of slavery in Puerto Rico. At first, a teenager was with her mother and a mother’s friend. Mom is in front of a gondola of hair dyes and likes a red. I don’t know what would happen through the teenager’s mind when he tells her mother and quote: “Mommy, no, you can’t paint your hair of that color;That is Red Yal ”(Rodríguez, 2018). I consider that a "yal" is a woman who has a characteristic way of dressing, a peculiar way of speaking, excessive makeup, hair dye with strong colors like red, and residing in hamlets. For those who want to know how a "Yal" is, in the references there is a link of a short video presented by Univisión Puerto Rico "a new yal arrives at the hamlet".
Functionalism says that mental states are constituted by their causal relationships to each other and to sensory and behavioral entries outing. In this theory, the human body or organic analogy is used to explain how the different aspects of society are all interconnected and interdependent and the problems in an area of society could be symptoms of gathering elsewhere. Functionalism is the opinion that mental states are fully constituted by their functional roles, rather than its strict behavioral consequence, or by their physical correlates, or in their immaterial nature (Moya, 2004).
This theory emphasizes the idea, that society requires shared norms and values, so that it works correctly. During the era of slavery, people were pointed out by society due to the color of their skin. They forced them to work forced and even cruelly punished. I think, also because of being a woman was discriminated against. In the text, there is talk of racism for skin color and I think this also has to do with the fact of being a woman.
Returning to those of the "yales", these are marginalized and rejected by the same society. The "yales" are characteristics and is usually recognized with seeing it nothing more. Although there are some women who do not bother them to call them "yal". Apparently, they like it because it makes them different.
In conclusion, racism is a social evil which must be ended. This article presented by the author has been emphatic in talking about this subject of racism. Because racism is more than just words, belief and actions. Includes all barriers that prevent people from enjoying dignity and equality due to their race. The "yales" are no exception, because they are rejected by the same society.
References
- A new yal arrives at the hamlet. Puerto Rico Univision. Recovered from: https: // www.Univision.com/port-rico/wlii/arrival-a-new-yal-al-maserio-video
- Marine.L. (2011). Sociology: The study of social reality. (1.ª ed.). Spain: Antonio Lucas Marín Editions.
- Moya, c.J. (2004). Philosophy of the mind. (1.ª ed.). Spain: Editorial University of Valencia.
- Rodríguez, k. Y. (2018). Degrading the "Yal": Rialization and Antinegra violence in Puerto Rico. Afro-Hispanic Review, 37 (1), 126–132.
- Schettino, m. (2005). Introduction to Social and Economic Sciences. (1.ª ed.). Mexico: Pearson Education.
Leave feedback