Insider/Outsider

Abstract

Sociologists and other social scientists confront a number of trends in American society and even inside the academic world such as anti-intellectualism and a preference for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Often, people in the public have a misperception about what social sciences are and what sociologists do. However, a number of important people such as Martin Luther King offered an explicit vision of the mission for social scientists. That vision entails social scientists as progressive social change agents. Two sociologists who fit that vision are Ernst Borinski and Howard Becker. These public scholars spent a lot of time understanding in-group/out-group dynamics. They also took on the insider/outsider roles to conduct their research and pursue other endeavors. Becker and Borinski and other sociologists were able to show the public why sociology is important in the day-to-day lives of individuals. Drawing on the works of Becker and Borinski, the author offers some suggestions on how to convey insights from the discipline to reporters, writers, and other opinion leaders.