Culture & Discrimination

Stereotypes Simplified beliefs based on judging all members of a group by the behaviours of a few, without consideration for individual differences A generalization Ties into the Symbolic Interactionist school of thought and Cooley's “Looking Glass theory” concerning how we present ourselves to others

Prejudice Unfavorable belief or judgments about members of a group, without knowledge or experience needed to make a judgment

Discrimination Unfair actions directed against people based on their race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, language, faith or sexual orientation

Harassment Discrimination in the form of verbal or physical attacks Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual attention from a colleague with implied or perceived promise of reward for compliance

Racism Negative behaviour based on an incorrect assumption that one race is inherently superior to others

Genocide The organized systemic destruction of an identifiable group (national, ethnic, racial or religious group)

Additional terms Anti-Semitism: particular form of individual or systemic discrimination directed against Jews Systemic Discrimination: describes a system that favours one or some groups over others in terms of hiring, benefits, promotions, and pay increases Systemic Racism: Discrimination based on a sense of racial superiority is part of the philosophy and practices of a company, institution, or a whole society Systemic Sexism: Discrimination based on a sense of gender superiority is part of the philosophy and practices of a company, institution, or a whole society

Additional terms Oppression: Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment, sometime unconscious, sometime covert; constant state of denying to others fair and equal treatment and fair and equal opportunities Privilege: special rights, advantages or immunity granted to or assumed by, certain groups and considered by them as their right. e.g. in Canada, privilege accrues mostly to whites, to heterosexuals, and most of all, to white heterosexual males.

Identities : Identities are fluid : Identities overlap & intersect : One person can embody and live multiple identities : Many identities are invisible : Valuing one identity supports valuing other identities (i.e. Anti-racist = anti-ageist, anti- sexist, etc.)

The “isms” Ageism Sexism (gender) Faithism Ableism Racism (& Ethnism) Socio- economic status (classism)

Anger vs. Hatred Anger is felt towards individuals… An emotion felt… Crimes of passion intense personal anger directed at someone well known to the perpetrator…. People feel remorse for their actions afterwards… Hatred is directed at whole classes of people… Deep-rooted with no real repentance as the aim is to negate the object of hatred… A sentiment, “an enduring organization of aggressive impulses towards a person or peoples composed of habitual bitter feelings and accusatory thoughts…”

Gordon Allport's Group Norms theory... Believed that people readily adopt group norms (attitudes, beliefs & behaviours of a group) as the price of belonging to the “in-group”, to get psychological rewards from membership, including a sense of identity… Explains that people develop prejudices against others who don’t fit into mainstream culture, known as the “out-group”

Social Learning Theory Attitudes and beliefs are a result of socialization and learning. Young children learn behaviours from parents, peers and others. These attitudes can have a long lasting impact on perception and beliefs.

Social-Economic Theories of Prejudice Economic conditions could be factors that contribute to prejudice. During an economic recession for example, people who fear their livelihood is threatened might take a negative view on immigration. When people react this way immigrants become scapegoats – people who are blamed unfairly for certain problems of difficulties in society.

Psychological Theories of Prejudice Research shows that some people become prejudiced out of fear & suspicion of people who seem different. These differences may call into question their own way of doing things and threaten self-esteem. An insecure person may find it comforting to feel another group is inferior. Ethnocentric people view their own race or ethnic group as superior to others.

Contact and Education helps to eliminate prejudice by creating a “paradigm shift” ( the formation of a new way of thinking about people or ideas as a result of new experiences and contact with others) Robber's Cave Experiment

Debrief... In small groups on chart paper, brainstorm some ways in which the institution of Education has had to adjust its policies regarding social justice and equality for all...be specific with your examples

Debrief Thinking about all the aspects we talked about today, are there some situations that would make it harder for a person who is gay or lesbian to “come out”? What are the situations where it is most difficult to be gay or lesbian? You can't choose to be gay or straight but you can choose to “come out”. Why do you think some people “come out” when they're 14 yrs and others wait until they are 40+?