Reference no: EM133649060

Question 

Sociologist Robert Merton argues that each society/culture establishes a goal for people in the society to pursue and in U.S. society that goal is professional or business success (often paired with getting a fancy house in the suburbs, etc.). Among others, people who are in subordinate groups - like for example African-Americans, Latinas/os, Native American, et al. - may face tough roadblocks trying to achieve success. Still wanting that success, subordinate racial-ethnic folks may be willing to cut some corners to grasp for financial success. Merton, you will recall, called this "innovation." In "Hoop Dreams": To what extent do you think William and Arthur's pursuit of success potentially/eventually in professional sports fits this scenario? (This would be perhaps instead of trying to get into whatever Williams' St. Joseph High School white professional-managerial-class classmates might try their hand at, possibly after college.) How about Arthur's friend Shannon and his shift into selling drugs to make money? In what ways might Arthur and William, in one way, and Shannon, in another way, may be being innovative? Or does this let Shannon off the hook too much for his choices, and - in a way - do something similar for Arthur and William - given how few aspiring pro basketball players actually make it in the NBA?