Prejudice

Prejudice is an unjustified negative attitude toward a group, a

category of people, or a cultural practice. Prejudice against a group

carries a strong emotional discomfort with, dislikes of outright hatred

of its members. Often it is based on a negative stereotype that resist

rational argument. Many prejudices are passed along from parents to

children, in messages that say “ We don’t associate with those kind of

people”, sometimes without either generation having ever met the

object of their dislikes.

People cling to some attitudes like life preserves but they are

persuaded to give up on others. The different casual connections

between attitudes and behavior can be seen so clearly in the case of

prejudice. In some cases the attitude (prejudice) leads to behavior of

discrimination. Discrimination may be slim, as when a person refuses

to associate with targets of the prejudice.

In the United States prejudice has led to the hanging of blacks,

bombing of synagogues, the massacre of Native Americans, the

Coker 2

harassment of homosexuals, and other violent acts against minority

groups. Sometimes people who have prejudiced attitudes are

prevented from discriminating because of the law, social convention,

or other interests. Even people with no prejudices may nevertheless

discriminate in their behavior.

Although many claim we live in an age of enlightenment,

discrimination in the workplace remains common. When employment

decisions are based on a employees race, sex, religion, the impact is

felt on many levels. Economically, qualified employees are denied

decent jobs.

Some of the biggest racists are those who don’t even know that

they are, and even say that they are not. These people are racists

because they cannot comprehend what is happening and do not

realize what they are saying is racist. Often times these people feel

that just because a person is a certain color or race, that they must be

a thief or a criminal.

It is very typical in today’s society and no one deserves to be

prejudged like that. The prejudice of people in the world is disgusting.

The worst part of it all is that they don’t even know that they are doing

it. They often think that it is just normal behavior.

Word Count: 365