Discrimination – that is, treating people differently based on factors that are not relevant to a decision – has long been considered unjust in our society. We have a variety of laws that seek to end discriminatory actions. You can’t refuse to do business with a person just because of their skin color, or refuse to hire someone because of their gender, and so on.
In World Civilization class, many people are surprised to find out how recent some of these laws are. The right of women to vote is less than one hundred years old. The rights of people of color seemed to be guaranteed in 1868, but it was only in the 1960s that any sort of effective enforcement began to be accomplished.
These are provisions we’ve become accustomed to. Over time, we learn that other measures are discriminatory. Thus we have recent interest in equal pay for equal work, equal opportunity for advancement, and even the effects of long-term debt such as student loans.
Among the recent laws is the Americans with Disabilities Act
(1990, amended 2008). It was intended to relieve both systemic discrimination,
such as people being unable to physically get into a building, as well as to
end unequal choices. One of the goals of this law was to get what is one of the
largest groups of unemployed people into the work force. But as this article http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/02/upshot/fake-cover-letters-expose-discrimination-against-disabled.html
reports, a recent test has shown that people who reported a disability were
rejected for jobs at a much higher rate than others. This test is similar to
others from the past, such as those using people with similar bank and family
backgrounds but different skin colors or names to identify discrimination.
A lot of questions swirl through my mind on reading this.
Why do we seem to not want to judge each other as equals? Can a law really
change things? It’s understandable that some changes take time. When a building does not have an elevator, or there are anywhere from one to thirty steps at the entrance, that’s often a difficult thing to change. But just last week I was in a newly-renovated building that had a ramp that was way too steep to get up. It’s difficult to sit by quietly while some people say that all you need is motivation or willpower when such an obstacle confronts you—especially when those people know nothing of what you’re up against.
And then I think of the wider world we live in. Generations
grow up in refugee camps, and have no hope. As I finish writing this, we have
word that the Paris branch of my family are safe. But what of others? Does the
bell toll for all? So this question to you this week is, “What can each of us
do to end discrimination, when the world is so large and there are so many
differences?”
There are steps we can take to end discrimination in the world, such as teaching our children at an early age to accept diversity. Because in reality, a lot of the discriminating is a learned thing. Another thing that can be done is making a larger awareness of the problem, educate not only students, but adults that may struggle with discriminating others. I feel that not all types of discrimination can be eliminated because the world and the people in it are constantly changing. Along the way though I feel that who ever feels like they've been treated unequal will get their justice, it will just take time and fighting for what's right really.
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DeleteI honestly feel very helpless in a situation like this. I always felt like it was a lie when people say one person can change the world. I feel this way because I've never know of a single person to change the entire world. Something like this would take a lot of help from many different people. People could pretest for equal opportunity. Also people could sign a potisioun to get the community to reconsider for change. But me personally i feel like people that have disadvantages will never have a equal opportunity because of there disadvantages so they should stop getting angry at the world and live with it or make these changes on there own. Because thats what they are receiving checks that come out of others taxes for to do. Overlook the small things and be satisfied with what they have.
WE NEED STOP judging A BOOK BY ITS COVER !!!!! Because When you treat someone differently based on there race, gender, age, you are lowing the value of who they are as an individual.People shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of someone by there appearance alone. Because no one is perfect and I believe we can end discrimination by RESPECTING each other and to SPOT PREJUDGING each there by race, gender or age Because no one on this earth is prefect we all deserve respect and chance because we all are equal and should be treated equal.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really tough question, one that I think about fairly often. Having experienced violent discrimination towards my Judaism myself, I think that discourse regarding ending discrimination and beginning to work towards equality is important. Morality and ethics are mostly subjective concepts, so trying to persuade somebody to be, for example, less discriminatory will always be difficult. I think that ultimately the best possible solution we can conceive of amid clashing morals and ethics is to simply educate ourselves and then talk about what we learn. This, I hope, could encourage others to think harder about their prejudices. In addition, I think it is also vital to suspend our biases occasionally and open up to simply listening to those marginalized by these prejudices. What better source can we find that could bring us closer to understanding these issues than the person or people directly affected by them? Whether a person is discriminated against by race, gender, handicap, etc. doesn't matter - we should try much harder to listen to the people directly affected. I guess what my thoughts boil down to is encouraging people to seek further education about these issues, listen more to the marginalized groups who are affected, and finally encourage a self-regulatory mindset for how we act and speak. I mean, read the room. It's that simple. Think harder before you speak. Push yourself to learn about these issues. I think these are great steps towards eliminating discrimination and prejudice, but it's only the beginning. Where we could go beyond these concepts lies in the power of the individual. It's time we take responsibility for our thoughts and actions and hold the people in power just as responsible.
ReplyDeleteI think that is is always a touchy subject. To me it is sad that we even looked at another race as lesser than us. I do think that it starts at the home. What environment you are raised in and what your parents opinions are on certain topics. Parents and schooling is where it all starts. How to stop it, it would take a lot.Parents need to raise their children to see everyone as equal. That will help. School is where kids are bullied and torn apart by words. If people would think before hand then this would be less of a problem. Now people have a screen to hide behind which makes it very easy to discriminate and judge others. I don't think this problem will ever go away completely. It might become less but never to the point to where it should.
ReplyDeleteThere is one way we can all co-exist....People stop being (expletive of your choice) The fact that we have this issue in this day in age is absurd to me. I believe people who don't want equality are threatened by their fellow (wo)man. There is so much more to worry about than hating/putting down another person/race/sex/religion/sexual orientation/etc. I sometimes wonder if our world is doomed and set to fail. I have met so many wonderful people, from all over, so all I can say is be open. Be completely open to new relationships and dialogue.
ReplyDelete“What can each of us do to end discrimination, when the world is so large and there are so many differences?”
ReplyDeleteDiscrimination exists everywhere, and not just in the U.S. There are always going to be people who won't think alike like others or who won't agree with my beliefs and viewpoints, would have different views of their own, and only want to believe, listen, and follow only in what they have taught, learned, or said. These differences is what I believe is one of the roots for discrimination, and to end discrimination would be to force people to not believe and think in a certain way. I believe that discrimination can never end, we can only help reduce this. Some steps that can be taken that would help end discrimination include the following options: First, re-inventing yourself, having a positive attitude, a feminist attitude (being a feminist doesn't mean to only favor females,this is a big misconception, instead it means to see and believe in equity in and toward both genders.I can't speak for everyone, but i do believe in order to reduce discrimination, a person needs to have an open-mind, appreciative and considerate to other people's thoughts, ideals, and beliefs, and not judge them or mock them. If a person's belief and ideals differ from other people, try to understand them, their belief, don't necessarily accept them,just try to understand the problem or discrimination issue first, what caused it, what causes it, etc.Secondly,look for similarities and work towards betterment and building peace. When ideas, morals, beliefs, thoughts differ a lot, or have a conflict, the best solution is to look for something that is similar and work towards it.
Third, follow the "golden rule of life", treat others as you want to be treated. If a person can't do this, they are less likely to move ahead with everyone else. And Last, but not least, if you have nothing good and useful to say, don't say anything at all. Simple as that. In order to reduce discrimination or even attend it, we need to learn to disagree, and look for similarities instead. You can't change a person's mindset, you can only modify their beliefs toward betterment.
People are judged unfairly all the time. I'm judged on a daily basis. We may be judged by our appearance, the way we talk, or just by the material items we own. People’s first impressions mean a lot, but the way you view them should not be based on just appearance. Before you make an assessment on the kind of person you think someone is, you should stop and get to know them first.
ReplyDeleteWe can end discrimination by teaching to not judge others. It is passed from the teachings from generation to generation if we teach our kids now that everyone is equal and they teach their kids the same then we have taken a big step to a judge free world.
ReplyDeleteIt is in our human nature to judge others and things around us. I believe we do this because each one of us is different in our own unique ways. Sometimes we judge not in a manner to belittle someone, but just because we don't understand them or there situation. The world would be a pretty boring place if we were all the same. We need to teach others that being unique is not something that should be judged. We all have our story and we have such a great opportunity to learn from others that are different from us. So being equal does not always mean that we have to be the same skin color, religion, or appearance. Being equal is combining all of our unique qualities to strive towards one common goal.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to be taught at a young age to treat others equally, no matter if our religion, beliefs, race, culture, disability and relationship status is different from others. We are all one and share the same planet, we need to respect each other and the world we share.
ReplyDeleteI think it's only natural to see differences but it is your choice entirely on how you interpret them and how you act upon them. Everybody needs to realize that we're all people, we're all the same even if we look different. Differences are what make humanity what it is, a whole collective group trying to live together even under so much pressure. Some people try harder than others to make it work, sure, but that's all we can do. Trying to not hate people for differences but to uphold them and embrace them.
ReplyDeletei think that each of us can start of by not being so judgmental of other and be more open minded. if we start by changing little things like that then other people will start catching on to it and it will make it easier for these changes to happen.
ReplyDelete“What can each of us do to end discrimination, when the world is so large and there are so many differences?”
ReplyDeleteTo end discrimination would be a miracle to me. For the same reason you say there are so many differences. Individually I think all we need to do is give people our time. "Time is money." Allowing people to have some of your time you get to know them and learn about them and their culture. Most friendships are not formed by bumping into them and bang that's your bff. First you are friends and you go grab lunch or hang out. Like any relationship you have to build it. To end discrimination would be the same. Start from the bottom and build your knowledge of their people and them, so you know what they are like.
I think to end discrimination we have to recognize and understand that EVERYONE is different but everyone is the same as being a human. I also feel that it starts within the household as well, discrimination against others is something that is learned not something you are born with. You can put a white child and a black child together and they are not looking at one another as a different color but as the other being the same size as them. I feel it is something that will eventually change within the world but it gonna take for everyone to start with themselves.
ReplyDeleteI think educating people will help end discrimination. It doesn't have to be a formal education it could be a worldly education. Getting people outside of their comfort zones and showing them that people are just people no matter what is different between them. We need to come up with a way to get everyone together in a team building type of situation. That would be awesome and would work.
ReplyDeleteWe can take the time to learn about each other in great detail then can we achieve the end of discrimination. We need to learn about how to work with others and how to not hate someone because they are different from who we are and get over the fear that causes
ReplyDelete-Hayley
To end discrimination. That in my mind is almost a fairy tale, especially in America. I wish I were wrong but it is hard try to convince yourself that the way people judge without knowing is going to remedied with education, or social interactions. We as the next generation of leaders have let our parents and grandparents and so on spew there hatred of others into us, and I have noticed that it is definitely present when someone says something racially driven I automatically assume that the view of the person was given to them by their parents. Maybe somewhere down the road we will be a society that doesn't recognize race or religion, but that time will not come any time soon.
ReplyDeleteWe can start by making an effort and treat all individuals one and the same such as treating each other with respect and kindness. Another way we can initiate change is educate and converse with one another as well as create projects and awareness of injustice and create some turmoil for those who practice it. Taking one step forward so many can follow the steps of change is what should and will be done if I can help it.
ReplyDeleteteaching younger generations is a way to start. letting them know what our country has been through and how much or how little we have grown. We influence those around us and our own actions and opinions to be less discriminatory will have an impact.
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