Discrimination and the Social Inequity It Produces - Essay Example

1. Prejudice: Definition, Origins and Effects, and Suggestions as to How it May be Overcome Prejudice has been defined as "aversive or hostile attitude towards a person who belongs to a group, simply because he belongs to that group, and is therefore presumed to have the objectionable qualities ascribed to that group" (Allport, 1954). Though stated in 1954, over 60 years later, this is still considered to hold true. In other words, pre-judgements, based on ignorance, fear and negative impressions, all contribute to make up a dangerous and destructive element of society which drives some human behavior. By examining its components, and citing evidence of its effects, some methods addressing and lessening its impact may emerge. As suggested, there are many reasons for people to hold prejudicial views or beliefs about others, the most intrinsic of which may well be fear of the unknown. The group which is feared is perceived to be radically different to that which a person considers themselves to belong. When those differences are reinforced by negative stereotyping, then discriminatory attitudes are developed and held, often resulting in prejudicial behavior. "The discrimination process is a loop that continually reinforces itself. An individuals experiences and intrapsychic world produce thoughts and perceptions....which manifest themselves as thoughts and behaviors.... This affects the whole area of discrimination, which takes three forms Institutional Prejudice Individual Prejudice Cultural Prejudice (Social Inclusion, 2000) Such attitudes develop from childhood, influenced by many factors. Parents and family may often discriminate, embedding their own attitudes, with comments such as "you do not play with them, they are not like us, they are dirty, lazy, ignorant, etc. etc. The them in question could be a black family in the USA, a Pakistani family in the UK, a Catholic child in Northern Ireland, Jewish 2. family in Nazi Germany and so forth, ad infinitum. This denial of normal, social interaction between groups prevents the child from learning about those who are different from themselves, and such lack of knowledge reinforces the fear of the unknown, as well as the negative perceptions passed on by trusted adults. Fear can breed aggression as a defense mechanism. In terms of prejudice, that aggression can turn to discriminatory practice, stereotyping and attitudes and behaviors which result in targeting of groups or individuals, often with disastrous outcomes. Fat people, disabled people, Asian Americans, AIDs sufferers and so on, all may be on the receiving end of such activity. Other influences may originate with media, expert opinion, religious or government leaders, and life experiences. As stated by Maire Dugan, in an essay on the subject, "prejudice is not simply an attitude that remains internal to its owner: it impacts behavior. When negative attitudes on the basis of differences translate into behavior, we has as a result, discrimination and the social inequity it produces." (Dugan, 2004) There is no doubt that everyone discriminates, that is, they make choices based on learned attitudes and external influences. A simple example is the selection of a washing powder. Faced with ten or twenty choices, one is picked, excluding the others. Many factors influence that choice, not always personal knowledge or experience. "Mom always uses it", or "The ad on TV says it works well", or "My grandma/friend/neighbor/ swears by it." Apply this principle to an individual or group, then because so many trusted sources are involved in the decision, discriminatory practice may seem the proper and sensible way to go. A case in point, based on hundreds of years of historical, political and religious bigotry, resulted in the events of almost 30 years of terror in Northern Ireland. Catholics were unable to get jobs, better housing, leadership roles and economic equality. The views of the Protestant majority, who wielded political and economic power, included the prejudices that Catholics were feckless, having too many children, lazy, dirty, subversive and posed a threat to the Protestant religion and the union with England. The resultant backlash was a dreadful loss of life, destruction and mistrust. The action taken because of the stereotypes applied 3. to the Catholic community, meant that in reality, Catholics did live in poorer housing, ghettoized, and were denied equal rights to employment and political enfranchisement, continually judged to be inferior. Individuals may well have accepted that their lot was possibly their own fault, "it must be something to do with me." Sadly, since the Peace Process has had some success on religious equality, racialism against minority ethnics is growing on both sides of the political and religious divide. A study carried out in the USA in 1987, examined how religious beliefs influenced prejudices towards other races and gay men and lesbians. It was found that those who used religion extrinsically (they found social support and acceptance in belonging to a religious denomination), were more racially prejudiced. Those who were intrinsically religious (lived their beliefs, e.g love thy neighbor) were found to be less likely to be racially prejudiced, but more likely to be prejudiced against non-heterosexual people. So other racial groups fit with what is "deserving of tolerance by ones religious philosophy" (Herek, 1987), and despite Judeo Christian doctrines, some groups were perceived to be unacceptable, and as such, it follows, should not be treated as having equal human rights. Some changes have occurred, though not without conflict and controversy. When Bishop Gene Robinson, a gay priest, was consecrated as an Episcopalian bishop, many church leaders criticized this action. A report was produced, apologies given, but as Bishop Robinson pointed out, gay and lesbian people still have to fight for their place in the church, they are "second-class members of the Anglican communion." (Robinson, 2004). The effects on individuals in such circumstances must be very hard to bear, demeaning and belittling their value as Christian believers. Prejudice denies all their essential humanity and right to be. In society today, gender based discrimination is still rife. Women are discriminated against by the biological fact of their gender. The assumption is often made, in a male dominated society, that they will have children and thus take up the role of carer and nurturer. As a result, many educated women are prevented from reaching full potential, being kept in jobs with less status, no decision 4. making opportunities, and little chance of promotion, despite higher education and qualifications than many of their male colleagues. Institutional and organizational cultural prejudices ensure that this is the case. On a personal level, prejudice can be expressed in subtle ways, such as jokes about women drivers, PMT, little girl and so forth, and these are difficult to address without seeming to be over-sensitive and thus perpetuating the stereotype. If a woman does rise to a position of power and influence, she is often stereotyped as being unfeminine, or maybe even loose-moralled (slept her way to the top), she may even earn the name ball-breaker and other negative labels. In single parent families, where the mother looks after the children, but works to supplement welfare benefits, children are often perceived as neglected, the mother as uncaring. If she stays at home, refusing the often menial, low-paid part time work which is all her situation allows for, she is lazy and a parasite. Labeled and blamed, it would seem that women are in a no-win situation. Those who delay having children to ensure a good income and career, are judged as un-natural, or selfish. Though the workforce depends hugely on women, and they follow a dual role of worker and family carer, contributing a great deal to the national economy, attitudes and perceptions of them are definitely prejudiced. Attitudes and behavior need to change dramatically to stop the discrimination against a vital part of society. Regarding racial discrimination, history and literature provide ample evidence of the injustices suffered by black African Americans, and indeed by Native American people. Events such as the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, the children burnt in the little church, the beatings and murders of Civil Rights workers, all demonstrate the horror of prejudice in practice, an indictment on any so called civilized society. Recent events, with the floods in New Orleans, gave rise to the question as to the handling of rescue and assistance provided. Some commentators expressed the view that the people who suffered may well have had less favorable treatment, simply because of their race and socio-economic status. Certainly questions were asked, and heads did roll, but only after the lack of cohesive emergency care had been noted worldwide. Was this prejudice in action? 5. Asian Americans, too have suffered simply for being different. As far back as 1865, a law was passed excluding any more Chinese immigrants, and re-enacted in 1902. They were judged to be undesirable, despite their hard work and contribution to the growth of the nation. A popular concept of the Chinese in USA, the model minority was overturned by M. Elaine Mar, the Chinese- born child of immigrants. In Paper Daughter: A Memoir, she showed how it was to be different, to be bullied and called chinky, to never be accepted. Having attained entrance to university, she seemed to fit the stereotype of the model majority, on the way to a profession and fully integrated into American society. The reality was poverty, grinding hard work, isolation from mainstream society and little time for the family and their friends to learn English and escape from the low economic status their ethnic group existed in. She speaks of the 1970s, and clarified the situation thus: "The truth is, my childhood community... in Denver, where the boundaries were not defined by city blocks - has more in common with Harlem, Appalachia and an Indian reservation than with the fantasy..." (Mar, viii, ix, 1999) By revealing her reasons for sharing her experiences, Mar highlights the impact of prejudice and discrimination, falsely held perceptions and stereotyping. She said she wrote the book because, 2at my core, I am more "minority" than "model"; that as an American I continue to lie if I perpetuate the myth of a classless, integrated America." (Mar, ix, 1999) Prejudice in operation thus affects individuals and whole groups of people by dehumanizing them, making them something less than they are, and therefore not worthy of the same considerations as others. The resultant loss, of missed opportunities to enhance our culture, to learn from others, to use their skills and abilities to make for a better and more cohesive society, needs to be appreciated and addressed if prejudice is to be overcome. What can be done to overcome it, given the human tendency to pick on those perceived to be less valuable than oneself? Much legislation has been put in place, worldwide, to ensure that equality and human rights are preserved. The application of these is not always adhered to, nor are they so 6. easy to enforce, given that thoughts and attitudes need to change. Punitive measures may also serve to exacerbate the problem, causing resentment and giving prejudiced individuals further justification for their attitudes and behaviors. Addressing the issues begins in childhood, for no child is born judging others and finding them wanting. Parents, instead of passing on negative, stereotypical ideas, must seek to involve themselves and their children with learning about others, and with positive social interaction. At school, encouraging children to gain further knowledge on different groups and cultures, and to mix with and make friends with those outside their own group, will help to instill a recognition of the value of the individual in a multi-cultural society. Awareness of their own and others cultures and the way in which they contribute to the good of all would be a good step towards removing that fear of the unknown, that major source of destructive prejudice. Idealistic maybe, but worth the effort if we are to become the global village which would enhance all our lives and those of future generations. Reference List AllPort, G. W. (1954) The Nature of Prejudice New York Addison-Wesley (and available on many websites regarding Diversity and Social Psychology) Comptons Interactive Encyclopedia (1995) Womens History in America. Womens International Center. Retrieved 24 July 2006 from http://www.wic.org/misc/history.htm Community Relations.Org (nd) What is Sectarianism: Anti-sectarianism is a very long word- can we spell it? Retrieved 24 July 2006 from http://community-relations.org.uk/resources/what_is_sectarianism/ Dugan, M. A. (2004) Prejudice Retrieved 23 July 2006 from http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/prejudice Gallant: (nd) Long Description for Model of Discrimination Process. Retrieved 23 July 2006 from http://www.socialinclusion2000.co.uk/images/disc.Mod_d.html Herek, G. M. (1987), Yale University Religious Orientation and Prejudice: A Comparison of Racial and Sexual Attitudes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 1987, 13 (1) 34-44. 1987. Retrieved 23 July 2006 from http://psychology-uc.davis.edu/rainbow/html.PSPB87_pre.Pdf Mar, M. Elaine (1999) Paper Daughter: A Memoir. New York. Published by Perennial, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 2000. Paulson, M. (2004) Gay Bishop Speaks Out on Report. The Boston Globe, October 2004 Retrieved 24 July 2006 from http://boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/10/21/gay_bishop_ speaks_out_on_report?m.. Read More