Chunk #39 — Explanations for Greater Negative Social Consequences of Alcohol Use among African Americans Compared to European Americans — Environmental Influences
Bonilla-Silva (1997) proposed a theory for the disproportionate level of negative consequences among African Americans. He argued that this effect is due to what he called the “racialized social system” in American society. Bonilla-Silva (1997) defines a racialized social system as a society in which the economic, political, and social structure within the society is built upon a racial hierarchy, in which some racial groups are ascribed superior positions and tend to receive better access to resources, employment opportunities, and political positions than other racial groups. One implication of a racialized social system is that the same behavior can be viewed differently as a function of one’s race. Thus, moderate drinking may not be viewed as problematic when engaged in by European American drinkers, but may be regarded as a source of concern when engaged in by African American drinkers. Thus, the higher probability of experiencing negative consequences from drinking for African Americans despite lower or equivalent use may be partly due to the racial structure of American society.
