Final answer:
Sociologists tie economic and racial inequality to factors like institutional racism, broader societal issues that impact access to resources, and systemic power structures in society. Inequitable education, housing segregation, and covert forms of racism contribute to perpetuating these disparities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sociologists explain economic and racial inequality through a variety of lenses that include institutional and systemic factors. For instance, institutional racism, such as that seen during South Africa's apartheid, perpetuated social inequality and economic disadvantages for non-white populations. Not every wage gap or employment inequity stems from overt discrimination; often, it's the result of broader societal issues such as inequitable education or housing segregation, which disproportionately impact minority groups.
William A. Darity Jr., an economist, highlights that contemporary forms of such racism are generally covert and subtle, but their effects are significant in perpetuating economic disparities. Moreover, the critical analysis of race and racism can extend into understanding environmental racism and its impact on social stratification and economic conditions.
These inequalities also stem from broader systems of capitalism, colonialism, racism, and sexism, which often enable the superiority of one group over another. Sociologists also examine how modes of production create systems of social inequality, affecting all strata of society. Awareness and critically addressing these issues can lead not only to understanding but also to mitigating the deep-rooted problem of inequality.