The Definition of Discrimination
What does it mean?
Look at the picture below. Which apple would you pick to eat?
For those of you who enjoy red apples, you may pick the very top red apple without even considering the other green apples. You may immediately associate red apples as delicious and green apples as sour and ignore the green ones. You may not even ask, "What if the green apples happen to taste better than the red?"; instead, you may downgrade the green and prefer the red.
It is our very nature to judge things based on their appearances. We judge people no differently.
It is important to know the very definition of discrimination in order to prevent it. According to the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination Article I, discrimination is defined as "any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life". (Taken from: http://usyd.academia.edu/SenthorunRaj/Papers/229980/Just_Joking_Is_Racist_Humour_a_Form_of_Vilification)
Yes, we prefer the red because of its color and its association to sweetness. Yes, we nullify the green by restricting them as being more sour than the red. Yes, we treat them as unequals.
Yes, these are just apples, but what if we did the same to people?
Next time you meet a person, don't judge them first. Step back and ask yourself, "What if I gave this person a chance?"
Ever felt judged by your own appearances? Share your story by posting below.
What does it mean?
Look at the picture below. Which apple would you pick to eat?
It is our very nature to judge things based on their appearances. We judge people no differently.
It is important to know the very definition of discrimination in order to prevent it. According to the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination Article I, discrimination is defined as "any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life". (Taken from: http://usyd.academia.edu/SenthorunRaj/Papers/229980/Just_Joking_Is_Racist_Humour_a_Form_of_Vilification)
Yes, we prefer the red because of its color and its association to sweetness. Yes, we nullify the green by restricting them as being more sour than the red. Yes, we treat them as unequals.
Yes, these are just apples, but what if we did the same to people?
Next time you meet a person, don't judge them first. Step back and ask yourself, "What if I gave this person a chance?"
Ever felt judged by your own appearances? Share your story by posting below.
No comments:
Post a Comment