Arguably, supporters of symbolic interactionism encouraged a good deal and research on issues pertaining to race and racism. The theory of symbolic interaction plays a tremendous role in elaborating issues of rate. Symbolic interactions assert that reality in society is a process that is negotiated and constructed. In universities, there are various aspects of racism that goes on, which is related to symbolic interactionism and labeling. For example, there are aspects in universities that other students are seen as deviant and others who are part of same behaviors are not viewed as deviant. It is evident that in most universities the minority groups face issue of racism and harassment. In some occasions, black students have been made to believe that they are excluded from university activities. As a matter of fact, this theory claims that people comprehend their identities through interaction. Based on symbiotic interactions, race is an indispensable source of identity.
Individuals in universities focus on race and label others with the information they have about them. Due to stereotype thinking, when we see an individual we tend to develop a symbiotic exchange in which your gestures, mannerism, as well as language, communicate your own racial identities. Perhaps, the symbolic interaction theory asserts that individual prejudice is caused by stereotype thinking and labeling. In universities, students think in a stereotypical manner, whereby individuals are forced by to have certain characteristics to other students based on race, and ignoring the real characteristics of these students. Symbolic interactionism theory elaborates that labeling students in term of the race lead to discrimination issues.
According to symbolic interactionism, students in universities see particular race as a one sided individual. For example, black students are viewed as criminals, rappers and violent. On the other hand, black students could view themselves to be rappers, and work towards achieving these characteristics. The basic approach and premised of symbolic interactionism of racism help in studying student conduct and student life. Perhaps, physical reality in universities exists by the students’ individual definitions, as well as social definition. This is actually how
Certainly, it is not possible to separate student and the community. This is because students and community are developed through social interaction and one is never comprehended without the other. On issues of race, interaction among students develops labeling issues. In most cases, students of a different race do not view each other as a person. Symbolic interactionism focus on viewing individuals as a person. Symbolic racism in universities develops as a result of prejudice that blacks and whites hold with each other. Moreover, symbolic interactionism of racism among students in universities is a coherent belief system. For many years, symbolic interactionism of racism has been nearly all influential forms of prejudice in university life. In fact, racism issues have taken back many institutions, especially prejudice and labeling against blacks.
Certainly, racism symbolic interactionism of racism works on individuals because of the existing difference between students in universities. Racism issues entail discriminating in terms of race while symbolic interactionism focuses on how we interact and view others in the environment. The interaction process among individuals asserts a sense of difference between the interacting parties; hence, one can focus on symbolic interactionism in the sense that it can develops prejudice among students in terms of race.
There is a possibility that students of a different race could change their patters of interpretation, communication and adjustments during interaction. The theory works at an individual due to interactive symbols between students. How symbolic interactionism of racism works varies on individuals, other react negatively, while others take it as it is. Individual behaviors have been judges based on information that a certain race has been labeled in the past. Regardless of the interactive motive among the students, there is a possibility of stereotype thinking that will affect the individual form of communication and understanding. In general perspective, symbolic interactionism correlates with racism issues among university students. In fact, it works with individuals on how we perceive others to be in a community.
