Discrimination

[RoCKiTcZa]

Discrimination. Many of us despise this word. I, too, possess an extreme loathing for it, and will not go into in-depth descriptions of it seeing as all of us know about it—and hate it. And indeed, why mustn’t we? No one wants to be belittled, nor cursed at because his looks are not desirable to others, because she is a woman, because he is not the richest man in the universe, because his religion is not the most powerful religion in the world, and so many other because-s. To some people, this gets so irritating to the point that it makes them sick. Why, who tells us that these are the most terrible-looking people, that women are weak, that only the rich can do or mean something, which religion is king, and so on? People, of course. Yes, people. Those people who believe in and tell us these stupid things.

I must admit that I have never experienced the impact of racial discrimination with such pain and sadness as that of my countrymen when they heard a white man hurl personal insults at their snub noses, almond-shaped eyes, and golden-brown skin, as people often behold my looks with the same regard they hold for people of the Caucasian race—one fact that is not at all reassuring, but only gives me a picture of how unfair things are in this world, despite the “many” changes it has encountered since the time slavery was outlawed.

Religious discrimination is yet another form of social injustice which people of all races, social status and gender must bear. Although there is a valid reason for people to look down at me because of my religion, I have quite successfully prevented this by not speaking of it in public. Not that I am ashamed of my religion, of course not, I just don’t feel comfortable speaking about it, especially in front of people who scorn it. Certainly I am not doing this to make it look like I am hopeless; I just do not want anything to keep me from reaching my dreams. When at last I succeed in realizing all of my aspirations, I will slowly begin to eliminate this destructive mindset from the suffering brains of the people. Never to worry, allies.

Discrimination due to social status: this is the type of discrimination I am most familiar with. Though no one really walks up to me and tells me in my face that I am poor, therefore I cannot do anything; yet I feel it in their stare and the way they treat my family. Just because we cannot afford an excess of luxuries, they label us among the poor, incapable people even though they do not state it. We are middle-class people, not rich, and not very poor either, yet the wealthier class often looks down at us and deprives us of the respect we must have. Luckily, in my school, which is slowly getting to be a school for the elite (a very sad thing, indeed), nobody is able to decipher the mystery as to whether I am very rich or poor, for my father has taught me how to look presentable to everyone and to compete with people on a different aspect, that even the richest people around would see me as their equal.

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This time, I would like hear from you. Have you had any experiences with discrimination, or are you currently struggling to break free from it? If that is so; I would be very pleased to hear your stories. Not only do we share the same viewpoint, we might also get to help each other solve our problems regarding discrimination, for I know how traumatizing it is to be in a situation like this. If you wouldn’t mind, I will include your story in a school project, so please identify yourself; however, if you wish to remain anonymous, feel free to PM me on this, or state a brief identification on this PM to me. I thank you very much, and hopefully one day we shall be able to stand up against those who look down at us, and who knows? Maybe, one day, we might begin to see things in a totally different light. :)

[Dori]

I'd have to say the most prevalent form of discrimination in my school is that against homosexuality, even though I doubt there are any homosexuals. Some kids get it in their mind to call someone gay (or a fairy). And what happens? People believe him/her! I was subject to this for a few years - people legitimately thought I was homosexual. We (my family) had moved to this school when I was going into 6th grade. For some reason or another, several girls had taken an interest in me (something very new to me at that time). They wanted to be my girlfriend, but I turned all of them down. What the heck was I supposed to do? These girls were practically strangers! All of sudden, people think I'm gay.

The discriminatory comments ensued for years, and ended probably out of boredom. Ignoring it all really works, though it takes a while. However, as a result of all of this, I am rarely ever offended these days. I just laugh with them, despite my being the subject of ridicule.

In spite of what others might think, I think I've become a better person as a result.

[Lily Adams]

I'd have to say the most prevalent form of discrimination in my school is that against homosexuality, even though I doubt there are any homosexuals. Some kids get it in their mind to call someone gay (or a fairy). And what happens? People believe him/her! I was subject to this for a few years - people legitimately thought I was homosexual. We (my family) had moved to this school when I was going into 6th grade. For some reason or another, several girls had taken an interest in me (something very new to me at that time). They wanted to be my girlfriend, but I turned all of them down. What the heck was I supposed to do? These girls were practically strangers! All of sudden, people think I'm gay.

The discriminatory comments ensued for years, and ended probably out of boredom. Ignoring it all really works, though it takes a while. However, as a result of all of this, I am rarely ever offended these days. I just laugh with them, despite my being the subject of ridicule.

In spite of what others might think, I think I've become a better person as a result.

Oh, that's terrible. :(

I've been called lesbian before, too, because of the way I dress (not girlish enough? I usually wear a t-shirt with a wacky design and jeans) and I guess it was also the fact that I didn't have a boyfriend. That's horrible. So I feel your pain.

One of the types of discrimination that I think should be payed more attention to is reverse discrimination. It sucks barrel waste.

All discrimination is bad.

[kilted exile]

Nobody discriminates against me, Homer says it best:


I'm a white male, age 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me, no matter how dumb my suggestions are.

[Virgil]

Rockit, you seem to be mixing between discrimination, which is an act to deny someone an opportunity, with prejudice which is a personal attitude. You can't legislate personal attitudes, whether they be prejudicial or not. Discrimination, at least in my country, is a legal issue based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age. I guess one can be discriminated over social status, but I've never seen it listed. I guess one could discriminate based on social status, but I don't see how one would really know. I think you're describing people's personal prejudices.

[papayahed]

Discrimination is more then just denying someone an opportunity, it's treating someone/thing differently based on a characteristic (race, gender, class, etc..). Discrimination is the outcome of predjudices. I can have certain predjudices til the cows come home but if I act on those then I am discriminating.

Now, to the question..

I'm not sure. The big stuff is easy, but what about the little not so obvious. Just today for instance I was in a department store looking at handbags (odd, I know). the sales lady would not leave me alone, everytime I turned around there she was. I found a really cute bag so I put it on my shoulder to see how it fits and I walked about 5 ft and here's saleslady asking me if i found anything.. I told her I was thinking about the bag but I wasn't sure then she took the bag from me!!!! She actually took the bag out of my hand and said she'd hold it for me...What???

See, is she watching me? or is she just a really really bad sales lady??? Stuff like that happens a lot. What is it?

[Virgil]

Discrimination is more then just denying someone an opportunity, it's treating someone/thing differently based on a characteristic (race, gender, class, etc..).

Fair enough. But we all discriminate. I treat a lady as a lady; I treat a child as a child; I treat a elderly person as an elderly person.

[Sir Bartholomew]

me too i'm the biggest snot. last week i met across the street this caucasian tourist and asked me in english for directions. he was an american and he was doing these signs using his hands as if i was a monkey or something, as if i don't understand english. (why didn't you study Filipino first {edit}?) it was annoying so {edit} and went off.

[Scheherazade]

An eight-year-old boy has sparked an unlikely outcry in Sweden after failing to invite two of his classmates to his birthday party.

The boy's school says he has violated the children's rights and has complained to the Swedish Parliament.

The school, in Lund, southern Sweden, argues that if invitations are handed out on school premises then it must ensure there is no discrimination.

The boy's father has lodged a complaint with the parliamentary ombudsman.

He says the two children were left out because one did not invite his son to his own party and he had fallen out with the other one.

The boy handed out his birthday invitations during class-time and when the teacher spotted that two children had not received one the invitations were confiscated.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7479758.stm

[Virgil]

An eight-year-old boy has sparked an unlikely outcry in Sweden after failing to invite two of his classmates to his birthday party.

The boy's school says he has violated the children's rights and has complained to the Swedish Parliament.

The school, in Lund, southern Sweden, argues that if invitations are handed out on school premises then it must ensure there is no discrimination.

The boy's father has lodged a complaint with the parliamentary ombudsman.

He says the two children were left out because one did not invite his son to his own party and he had fallen out with the other one.

The boy handed out his birthday invitations during class-time and when the teacher spotted that two children had not received one the invitations were confiscated.
So then there is no right to associate with whom you wish? In the US at least thank God there is the freedom of association:


Freedom of association is the individual right to come together with other individuals and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests.[1] The right to freedom of association has been included in a number of national constitutions and human rights instruments, including the US constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.
and

While the United States Constitution's First Amendment identifies the rights to assemble and to petition the government, the text of the First Amendment does not make specific mention of a right to association. Nevertheless, the United States Supreme Court has held that the freedom of association is an essential part of the Freedom of Speech because, in many cases, people can engage in effective speech only when they join with others. The Supreme Court has found the Constitution to protect the freedom of association in two cases:

1. Intimate Associations. A fundamental element of personal liberty is the right to choose to enter into and maintain certain intimate human relationships. These intimate human relationships are known as "intimate associations." The paradigmatic "intimate association" is the family. 2. Expressive Associations. Expressive associations are groups that engage in activities protected by the First Amendment—speech, assembly, petitioning government for a redress of grievances, and the free exercise of religion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_association

I placed item number one in bold to highlight the signifcant element that pertains to our discussion.

I felt somewhat uncomfortable in accepting Papaya's broad definition of discrimination above. The issue is way more complex than simply how one treats people. We all have certain biases in our methods of choosing friends. I certainly try to be fair and civil, but to think I completely associate with everyone equally is way too idealistic.

[papayahed]

I felt somewhat uncomfortable in accepting Papaya's broad definition of discrimination above. The issue is way more complex than simply how one treats people. We all have certain biases in our methods of choosing friends. I certainly try to be fair and civil, but to think I completely associate with everyone equally is way too idealistic.

I never said we had to treat everybody equally, however at a certain point we do. I'll use an example from work, I have 19 guys with different dispositions and attitudes. The way I interact with each can be different, however the rules and procedures must be applied equally, consitantly, and fairly to all.

You're stuck on the idea that discrimination is a bad thing. It certainly can be and I believe that's what this thread is intented to be about. But it doesn't have to be, as you mentioned we use discrimination when choosing people we associate with, we make choices every day that's based on our personnal preferences and experiences which has no effect on anyone else.

[Virgil]

I never said we had to treat everybody equally. You're stuck on the idea that discrimination is a bad thing. It certainly can be and I believe that's what this thread is intented to be about. But it doesn't have to be, as you mentioned we use discrimination when choosing people we associate with, we make choices every day that's based on our personnal preferences and experiences which has no effect on anyone else.
Ok then we agree. Within the context of Rockit's post, discrimination is a bad thing.

[jaywalker]

If you chose White wine over Red -then you are Discriminating. Wot's to hate innit ?

[muhsin]

Fair enough. But we all discriminate. I treat a lady as a lady; I treat a child as a child; I treat a elderly person as an elderly person.

Thats good, Virgil.