Introduction

Figure 9.1 These images illustrate some examples of national and international movements against social inequalities. There have been movements in response to inequalities of race, class, and gender, among other characteristics. This chapter will discuss important concepts for the critical examination of inequalities. (credit: top left, “Million Women Rise 2019 – 04” by Garry Knight/flickr, Public Domain; top right, “March4Women 2018 – 08” by Garry Knight/flickr, Public Domain; bottom left, “Los Angeles March for Immigrant Rights” by Molly Adams/flickr, CC BY 2.0; bottom right, “Black Lives Matter Protest in South Minneapolis” by Fibonacci Blue/flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Chapter Outline

9.1 Theories of Inequity and Inequality

9.2 Systems of Inequality

9.3 Intersections of Inequality

9.4 Studying In: Addressing Inequities within Anthropology

As a student, have you ever experienced social inequalities, whether based around your race, gender, sexuality, class, or abilities? In this chapter you’ll see definitions and examples of the ways social inequalities affect individuals and societies. Over the history of anthropology, the ways we identify and define social inequalities has constantly evolved. The ways social inequalities are experienced has also evolved. This chapter will provide an overview of the important concepts and levels of social inequalities, and then an examination of the experiences of individuals within groups and societies. From this, you can develop a framework for understanding the inequality in your own communities.