What is sociology? A textbook definition of sociology would be “the study of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins, organization, institutions, and development of human society,” according to Answers.com. But to many, sociology is much more than that. Sociology is the study of how social institutions (media, religion, education, politics, culture, and family) socialize a person, or a group to behave the way that they do; it may teach you to be domineering, or it may teach you to be the exact opposite. Sociology teaches you why certain groups from society’s social categories (ethnicity, gender, economic class and sexuality etc.) of humans have more power than others, and why minority groups are oppressed. It looks at history from a non-biased viewpoint so that we can learn the truth about our world; all the violence, thievery, oppression, and brainwashing that society has done to us throughout the years. Sociology not only looks at the social aspects of life, but also at the psychological aspects of human behavior; it looks at how society shapes our minds, and how the minds of dominant groups have shaped society. Sociology is an analytical observation into the world in which we live, as well as a critical journey into understanding our individual self. From classical text, to contemporary concepts, sociology will help us to free our minds from social norms and enlighten us to be better, empathetic, and more helpful people in this unjust world.

Some of the greatest sociologist whom has contributed to this area of knowledge was individuals who wanted to create change in the world; individuals who wanted to make the societies in which we live more equal. Karl Marx, the author of The Communist Manifesto, saw the capitalist class system as an infectious disease that would ruin society. Marx felt that because of capitalism, the rich would continue to get rich, while the poor would get poorer, and the only solution to this escalating inequality was communism. Marx via Brainy quotes stated that, “In a higher phase of communist society… only then can the narrow horizon of bourgeois right be fully left behind and society inscribe on its banners: from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”

Another classical thinker whom also fought for equality was W.E.B Du Bois. Du Bois was the first ever recognized black sociologist, whom studied race relations in an era where racism and oppression were strong features of society. He was a brilliant activist who campaigned for the equality of colored people, and was the head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Through his analysis of racial relations in a time of strong racial tensions, Du Bois was able to develop the concept of the double consciousness, a concept that explains how a minority or oppressed person views the world. The concept expresses that a minority is able to view the world from two different types of lens; the national lens (American for example) as well as the minority lens (African-American for example) and are able to view themselves through the lens of the oppressors, whereas the dominant groups (rich, white people for example) are only able to view society through an “uninformed” pair of lens. Du Bois stated that, “It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity.” He also stated that, “One ever feels his twoness - an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.”

Therefore, sociology isn’t just a scientific study of society; it is also a tool used to uplift groups that are trapped in oppression to become strong, loving people so that they can help other minorities rise like they did. Sociology is also a way to tear down the oppressors social norms, so that they can open their minds to become loving, empathetic citizens of society and to join the quest to create equality for all beings.