Discrimination and Oppression

Discrimination

Individuals and institutions discriminate when they make distinctions between people based on differences without regard to individual attributes. Discrimination is grounded in prejudice that incorporates negative attitudes or stereotypes attributed to specific groups or categories, strong emotive and affective responses to the groups, and a capacity for behavioral responses consistent with the cognitive and affective reactions towards these groups. The basis for prejudice is the belief that all individuals within a particular grouping possess equal and identical beliefs, attitudes, and abilities, and subsequently, can be expected to act and behave in predictable patterns.

Direct discrimination refers to the immediate experience at the point of the prejudicial act, whereas indirect discrimination describes the long-term effects and consequences that occur because of the direct discrimination. Discrimination promotes inequities in economic resources, educational opportunities, employment status, political power, medical access, social promotion, and cultural development.

Reverse discrimination is the process by which deliberate and direct policies or acts are used to benefit groups that have historically been targeted for discrimination. Also referred to as affirmative action and positive discrimination, reverse discrimination attempts to rebalance the social structure, governmental directives, and institutional policies that have promoted discrimination. However, it simply provides a possibility for greater opportunity for some traditionally disadvantaged groups and fails to address the deeply ingrained cultural and psychological factors that promote the development of prejudices and acts of discrimination within society.

Forms of Discrimination

To fully understand the complexity of discrimination, it is essential to explore its manifestations within a multicultural society. The concept of multiculturalism refers to a philosophical stance that there are multiple groups in society distinguishable by many factors, including but not limited to ethnicity, class, race, gender, cultural and economic background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and age. In a multicultural perspective, none of these factors is considered superior or inferior. However, it is common that individuals harbor preconceived notions or assumptions about divergent groups of people. These prejudices are learned through subtle and overt socialized behaviors and stereotyping. Beliefs that members of one group of people should be treated differently from members of another group lead to various forms of discrimination, often referred to as the isms. The more common forms of discrimination experienced in society are described in the following sections.