Prejudice is incurred by the hate we feel towards people whose customs and behaviour differ from our own; the fear of the unknown is the basis of all prejudice. Words are only powerful if we give them meaning, therefore, prejudice and racism are only powerful if society defines the fuel of racism. When Atticus states, “It’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person it, it doesn’t hurt you,” (Page 108, Lee) it exemplifies his refusal to put stock in derogatory slang because he knows that only uneducated people would use such language whilst discussing the behaviour of another human being. Atticus told Scout and Jem that being called a “nigger-lover” does not matter because it has no meaning to Atticus.
Many people may say insidious is such a strong word for two harmless words. But these words can be harmful to many people. I like to call them dangerous words because they put people in their own category. They show the separation between people even now in the days that we believe that we are all equal. “We and them” are words that people use in everyday life and they have no clue that they are so insidious.
Prejudice is a biased belief or judgment directed against an individual, a group, or a race without logical reasoning. On the contrary, discrimination is a treatment towards a particular group less favorably than others because of their gender, race or nationality. Racism is identical to prejudice, but attitudes and beliefs are based on race alone. Although the United States currently prohibits discrimination, certain individuals or groups will still be racist, sexist and even prejudice. In the movie Crash, all characters are filled with prejudice and they would have to eventually confront their beliefs.
They assume that I should be just as able-bodied as them since they can’t “see” my disability and use oppressive words like lazy and ‘no good for nothing’ which only leads to further denigration of an already awful feeling. It also makes me feel even more isolated and alone because I internalize the oppression and my negative self-talk continues to tell me that I am the only one who truly understands. This form of oppression is what stopped me from reaching out to get help for my mental illness for many years. The stigma (negative stereotype) of mental illness which we are often led to believe through outlets like the media, caused me to fear what others may think about me and so I didn’t speak to anyone about my mental health until it was so unmanageable that I had to be hospitalized. Before that, I lived many years with the debilitating symptoms of depression and anxiety without any medical or therapeutic intervention.
People didn’t like what Bill had to say. They said it was a racial comment. Racism is everywhere. No one can control it. People should think about others feelings.
I had to hate somebody” (593). He assumed blaming others rather than himself was the best way to get over his frustrations but little did he know it was the beginning of his racist rampage. Ellis shows throughout the essay that he is weak minded and has very low self-esteem. Parrillo states that “self-justification”
For many it is tempting to use someone else's perceived homophobia or sexism as justification for subjecting them to racism. I guess the argument goes that if I believe you to be sexist or a homophobe then the gloves are off and I am allowed to be racist towards you. But no one can win in a race to the bottom of this type. Mehdi Hasan highlighted the vitriolic abuse he receives when he seeks to address issues of anti-Muslim discrimination on the basis that he is homophobic – well he must be, he is a Muslim after all and everyone "knows" Muslims are homophobes. Presumed guilty, he is asked to prove his liberal credentials before his reasonable arguments are even given a hearing.
Dehumanizing and derogatory remarks, such as those made by Rob and Arnie, reduce the personhood of all transgendered people and need to come to an end. In order for these cruel remarks to cease, society is going to have to change. As of now some may find people of transgender to be “disgusting” simply because they are different. Until they are seen as human beings not “freaks” harassment will continue. Discrimination has been seen throughout American history.
Sameness, like discrimination, is a bad thing. By Ken Tucker Our society rightly puts a premium on equality and same treatment for everybody. Discrimination based upon gender, color of skin and culture is a bad thing. It is destructive to people and society. But equality and fair treatment does not mean we should value or extol sameness.
Would they want to see the disrespect that humans often give one another based on a race or culture? Would they agree with our disregard for other living things, with our decisions to get abortions because we cannot live up to our mistakes? Would they be proud with the lazy people who just live life on the government’s welfare? My answer to all these question is negative. The first thing that I feel would disappoint these highly advanced creatures would be our neglect to the plant.