Discrimination and Prejudice

Despite the distances our country has come toward getting rid of discrimination and prejudice, both still exist to some extent in our country, in a variety of different forms and against a number of different groups and people. Because of the perceived modernity of our country, people who encounter discrimination or prejudice can often be disconcerted and unsure of how to react to both of these. If you come across discrimination or prejudice, there are a number of appropriate reactions, which are somewhat detailed as follows.

1. Vocalize your displeasure or offense

If you encounter discrimination or prejudice in a personal setting, absolutely voice that you are offended or not amused. Sometimes people will make offensive comments in the name of comedy, and will continue to make them until the audience no longer is entertained. If you voice your displeasure immediately, you may be able to head off the disparaging comments. Moreover, you may be given the opportunity to defend your ideals, possibly resulting in a change of heart to the person expressing the discrimination and prejudice.

2. Take action

Of course the most famous forms of action against discrimination and prejudice are the women’s rights movements in the early part of the twentieth century and the civil rights movement that took place in the middle of the same century. These two movements were best known for extreme acts such as marches, protests, boycotts, and simple acts of defiance, as well as an involvement in the political process. Taking action against discrimination or prejudice can be as extreme and bold as these movements were, or it can be writing a letter to a politician, refusing to buy from a vendor or manufacturer, or organizing or an awareness event. All of these can certainly contribute to a climate of fighting against both discrimination and prejudice, and can certainly make a difference as can be seen in the two aforementioned movements that snowballed from small events until the entire American political and social world changed. If you encounter this discrimination or prejudice in a workplace environment or in a public arena, most definitely take action by reporting it to superiors or to a human resources group.

3. Sometimes, nothing

In some cases, it may be appropriate to do nothing. While this may be difficult, if the person exhibiting the discrimination and prejudice seems positioned to harm you, or unwilling to listen to reason, sometimes the best reaction is just to walk away. Though this may not directly help fix the discrimination or prejudice, it will both get you out of the situation and send a message that you did not agree in a non-confrontational way. Moreover, in some cases a person may be looking for a fight. If that appears to be the case, the best reaction would be to leave, which would also give the person less reason to feel antagonized by someone arguing against the discrimination or prejudice.