Discrimination's True Meaning

“The only difference between man and man all the world over is one of degree, and not of kind, even as there is between trees of the same species. Where in is the cause for anger, envy, or discrimination?” (Gandhi). The only difference between each person is personality; each individual has something to offer. Many people judge others based on first impressions because usually it is the only time they will see the person in their life. They usually do not want to take time out of their day to get to know the person they just have met. Appearance plays a huge part in how people will make opinions on others. Throughout history, Europeans have considered themselves superior to Africans; therefore, Europeans enslaved the Africans to do their bidding. Skin color was important to determine social standing. The United States government has created a system that allows certain ethnicities to be reverse discriminated. Mankind has always looked for the greatest qualities, but if there are any deformations, the person is often treated as a lesser being. It does not matter that the disabled person has potential to offer an important advance to society. If the disabled person applies for a job, the employer usually stops listening at the slightest mention or notice of a defect. Other people have been denied a position based on their gender. Our culture already has preconceived ideas for the roles of men and women. These ideas make certain job opportunities nearly impossible to be filled by females. One definition of discrimination is unfair judgments based off appearance, race, gender, or a disability. Discrimination is defined by the opinions that negatively affect others. In every culture, there are groups of people who will exploit all weaknesses of others to appear superior. Europeans and other races with lighter skin color thought themselves dominant to the Africans. The Africans had little to no technological advances; they only had wooden spears and small huts. But the

Cited: Jacobs, Leo M. A Deaf Adult Speaks out. Third ed. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet UP, 1989. Print. Wyrick, Jean. Steps to writing Well: With Additional Readings. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, 2008.