Introduction
Thomas Sowell is one of the most significant social theorists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Sowell’s career as an economist for more than half a century has accumulated significant knowledge and experience for humanity in economics and politics. Moreover, Sowell’s works greatly contributed to focusing the public’s attention on social inequality in modern American society. This essay will explore Thomas Sowell’s life and explain the importance of his accomplishments.
Biography
Sowell had first-hand experience with the negative impact of social inequality. Sowell was born in rural North Carolina in 1930 in a low-income family of Black sharecroppers (Riley, 2021). After his parents’ death, Sowell was taken in as an orphan by his aunt, who raised him as one of her sons. With his new family of his aunt and cousins, Sowell moved to Harlem, New York.
Sowell’s rough childhood defined his strong personality with a clear understanding of justice and moral wrongdoings. At 16, Sowell dropped out of high school and moved out of his house to a shelter for homeless boys (Riley, 2021). When Sowell entered college, he had already served in the Marines and had experience with multiple low-grade jobs, which probably formed his unique perspective on social studies.
Contributions
Sowell wrote several books and multiple articles on the topic of economic history and political theory. However, Sowell’s significance for modern social studies covers social inequality and racial discrimination. Sowell’s personal life experiences made him brave enough not to be afraid to confront mainstream opinion. Sowell’s works outlined the issues relevant in modern society, such as income inequality, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and the importance of informed decision-making.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this essay explored Thomas Sowell’s life and accomplishments. It defined Sowell’s rough childhood as significantly contributing to the development of his views on societal issues. The essay also explained that Sowell’s works focused on essential topics that are still relevant today.
Reference
Riley, J. L. (2021). Thomas Sowell’s Harlem years. Web.