Discrimination
Discrimination is a practice of treating somebody (or particular group of society) in an unfair way because of his, her sex, race, nationality, age, possession or other features which are different for different peoples. Very often discrimination is connected with stereotypes. Generally most of us condemn discrimination, but even nowadays many people are discriminated. It's horrible, disgusting phenomenon, but very often we turn a blind eye o it.
Discrimination has been a big problem since always. For centuries it concerned mainly race and sex differences. Strictly speaking until the end of the nineteenth century women were treated as an inferior, underdeveloped creatures and it has changed just during last hundred years.
Discrimination was a main reason for existing slavery. Most of people thought that the colour of skin makes people better or worse. White men believed that the black ones aren’t such worth people as the white ones are and they were convinced that for this reason they have the right to use them. That’s why black slaves were despised; the white men called them “Niggers” and used them to the hardest physical works (of course they weren’t paid at all). They were fed very bad, they worn rags and they often died because of the exhausted, inhumane work they were forced to or because of hunger or different illnesses because they lived in horrible conditions and they couldn’t count on any medical care. They often were beaten, physically punished and they also often died for that reason. Summing it up their existence was simply never-ended chain of torments. Today there is no slavery but some people still hate others because the colour of their skin, continuing the inglorious traditions of their ancestors. “Ku Klux clan”- the most infamous racist organization exists even nowadays.
The most terrifying example in the history of what discrimination can bring to was the Second World War and the holocaust. The Germans led by Hitler believed that they are the best race and therefore they were convinced that all people other races were created to serve them. They claimed that whole Europe belongs to them and they have to fight for their property and that’s why they started the war. Hitler claimed that the Jews are some kind of “underhumans” and for that reason he decided that they all should die and he was consequently making real the plan of killing them all. If the Germans hadn’t loose the war he would probably have succeed. But the war lasted enough long to kill four and half million of Jews.
There are many other (maybe not so serious) examples of discrimination in the history. I would give one more example – it’s connected with stereotypes. After 11 November each of as look on the Afghan as a potential terrorist (pure stereotype). We wouldn’t like to travel with such person. We claim that Afghans are fanatic believers who are capable to sacrifice their life for their god. It’s not feature of whole country society but general it’s true. It’s also some kind of discrimination (they have more troubles with traveling, there were many demonstrations after terrorist attack, Afghans who lived in USA were offend and there were even some accidents).
Summing it up. Discrimination is very big problem which wouldn’t be solved soon. Discrimination is something wrong. I hope that more and more people would be aware of it.
Helaa