Discrimination

Anthony Koroush

Position Paper

13 December 2000

Discrimination

Introduction—Discrimination is going on around the world everyday. Discrimination in any way is wrong.

I. It contradicts the Constitution

A. The Constitution states, “All men are created equal.”

1. In the 1700’s, blacks were slaves.

2. Three Fifths Compromise: 5 blacks=3whites

3. Hitler killing the Jews

4. Catholics persecuted in Maryland because of religion

5. Rosa Parks riding on bus with whites

II. It is selfish

A. Sept. 22, 1862: Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation

1. to free slaves of the Confederacy

B. During 1800’s, whites bought slaves to do their work.

1. Worked on plantations: hard labor, cruel discipline, isolation

C. Families broke up by sale

D. Against the law to teach enslaved persons to read

E. Southerners argue

1. “Necessary to provide an adequate labor supply and was a positive good”

F. Putting down handicap to higher own self-esteem

III. It creates tension between groups and/or nations

A. Gang violence

1. Whites, blacks, Hispanics

2. Belief in God: teen shot at Columbine High School

B. Indians persecuted because of their race

1. Reservations provided for Indians

C. Employers and employees: gays and lesbians in the workplace

1. As of mid-1996, Americans legally fired because of sexual orientation in 41 states.

2. Average household income: Homosexuals: $55,430; National Average: $32,286/yr

3. Percent College Graduates: Homosexuals: 60%; National Average: 18%.

Conclusion—Discrimination throughout the world today occurs to many extremes. From one extreme to another, it is in any way wrong.

Anthony Koroush

Position Paper

13 December 2000

Discrimination

Today, many forms of discrimination are seen throughout the world. Of all of the forms seen, there are some that stand out. Including gangs, slavery, and discrimination in the workplace. Negativity is the basis of discrimination. The negativity leads to tension and future problems. Discrimination in any way is wrong.

Discrimination is wrong because it contradicts the Constitution. The Constitution states, “All men are created equal.” Yet, during the 1700’s, there was slavery of blacks in the south. Also, the Three Fifths Compromise was ratified in favor of white people, in that it states that five blacks equal three whites, which is used for representation. Hitler killed Jews because of their religion and beliefs. Catholics were also persecuted in Maryland because of their religion and beliefs. During the Revolutionary War, Americans were forced to house British soldiers at any time by Great Britain. They had no choice. It was either house the redcoats, or else they would die. And many redcoats would invite themselves into one household at one time. Sometimes, six or seven redcoats would demand food, shelter, and protection from one family. Another form of discrimination is not allowing equal rights to blacks. For example, Rosa Parks, a black woman, could not sit with whites on a bus. This led to the Civil Rights Act, but it was not passed until protest and boycotts were such big problems that something had to be done. Instead of “All men are created equal”, the Constitution should have stated, “Some white men who are a certain religion are created equal.”

Discrimination is wrong because it is selfish. During the 1800’s, whites bought slaves to do their work on plantations. White people were too lazy and greedy to do their own work, so they bought slaves. The slaves were treated very cruelly, including hard labor, cruel discipline, and isolation. Families were broke up by sale because of the slave trade and Americans buying slaves to work on their plantations. In September 22, 1862, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves of the Confederacy. Before this, it was against the law to teach enslaved persons to read. Also, southerners argued that slaves were “necessary to provide an adequate labor supply and was a positive good.” Putting down handicap to higher own self-esteem is wrong. People today put down others to make themselves feel better.

Discrimination is wrong because it creates tension between groups and/or nations. Gangs are beating up one another. Gangs are a danger in schools and communities. Whites, blacks, and Hispanics are involved in gangs around the U.S. today. When the tragic shooting at Columbine High School took place, a teen girl was shot because she believed in God. Indians were persecuted because of her race. Reservations are provided for Indians today. Indians and whites fought over land and land rights. Discrimination in the workplace is wrong. As of mid-1996, Americans could be legally fired because of their sexual orientation in forty-one states. “The single most important thing (gay and lesbian) people can do is to come out, and one of the obstacles to coming out is the fear that you’re gonna lose your job.” --Representative Barney Frank (D-MA). The average household income of a homosexual is $55,430/yr., whereas the national average income is $32,286/yr. This shows that gays and lesbians are being fired and they are making more money than the average American. Anyone can see that it is wrong to fire these people. The percentage of college homosexual graduates is 60%, compared to the national college graduate is 18%. Gays and lesbians are graduating college on average more than average Americans. A study by Dr. Lee Badgett of the University of Maryland showed that gays earn from eleven to twenty-seven percent less and lesbians earn five to fourteen percent less than the national average. This shows that gays and lesbians are discriminated against in their gross earnings just because they love a man or a woman. It is labeled and judged by people today as “wrong” to love a person of the same sex, but who is to judge whom someone loves or in their case, does not love.

Discrimination is happening and happened all over the world. It is happening today for many reasons. One being because parents have taught their children to believe and think the way they do. The only thing we can do about it is to raise our children to not discriminate against other people. It could lead to more tension and fighting within people and groups. According to this hypothesis, discrimination in any way is wrong.

Works Cited

“The Civil War 1861-1865”. History of a Free Nation. Ed. Delbert A. Jurden & K. Austin Kerr. New York: New York. Mcgraw-Hill, 1998.

“Employment Discrimination”. www.religioustolerance.org/hom_empl.htm.

New Standard Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. U.S. A.: 1985.

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