Discrimination: The Stereotype that Diminishes the Humanity

10 min readApr 9, 2021

Every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents, and believing that no one should have poorer life chances because of where what, or whom they were born, what they believe, or whether they have a disability.

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https://www.epsu.org/article/report-ec-conference-trade-union-practices-non-discrimination-and-diversity

Everyone in the world is born with inherent distinctions. Culture and tradition as such bring about differences and distinctions among people not only globally but also among the people in a country. In that vein, globalization has enabled men to move from one place to another part of the world for everything from studies to business, etc. consequently, there is a collection of people of different ethnicities and races in a different part of the world. However, not everyone thinks that differences make them superior or inferior to anyone. Therefore, the cases of people treated discriminately based on these distinctions and differences are rampant and unbridled. And out of that the word Discrimination arises and has become the hottest topic around the world.

The Subject of Discrimination:

What is Discrimination? Human history is soddened with discrimination. Discrimination accompanies different forms and shapes, and our today’s era is not an exception. It influenced many cultural, economic, and social occurrences that we see today. To be plausible, the human brain keeps things in categories. For instance, children at an early age learned the difference between girls and boys. We learned values that we placed on different categories, from our elders, our peers, and ancestors, and the observation we make about the world.

The word discrimination throughout history has been used to describe the pretense of treating people disfavourably and unequally on the basis of caste, color, creed, race, gender, and other factors. It is an act of prejudice, violating the dignity of a certain group of people based on their particular characteristics. Discrimination is practiced at an individual, cultural, and social level. This is the simple answer, but spelling it out is very complicated.

The Grounds of Discrimination:

Discrimination, in its all conditions and expressions, is the most ordinary form of abusing and violating human rights. The anti-discrimination law covers the list of illegal grounds (known as prohibited grounds) against people because of different characteristics.

Some illegal grounds are featured below:

· Sex; As stated in law, you can’t be discriminated against on the basis of your sex. Although you are male, female, or transgender you are eligible to treat with honor and equality.

· Religion or other belief; refers to religious beliefs, such as Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, or Judaism. Other beliefs refer to convictions that are based on other religious beliefs such as atheism, Buddhism, and Agnosticism. other convictions such as political, philosophical, or ethical values are not covered by the law.

· Disability; nobody can be discriminated against if he or he has got any physical or psychological loss or abnormality.

· Ethnicity; refers to someone’s ethnic origin, color, and other characteristics. Ethnic origin means that people have the same nationality, such as Pakistani, Swedes, Finns, and have the same uniform culture. Nobody can be dishonored on such a basis.

· Family status; according to law, you can’t be discriminated against if you have got children if you are associated with a particular family or person. It is unlawful to discriminate against women on the testimony of pregnancy and other maternity cases.

· Marital status; it is illicit to discriminate against people on the basis of their relationship status. They are equally respectable regardless if they are single, married, separated, divorced, or widowed.

· Age; nobody can be discriminated against in accordance with their age. All rules and regulations, all opportunities are equal for everyone.

Types of Discrimination:

Since the industrial revolution the human raised their intellectual level, discrimination remained the hot topic. Previously practiced and acceptable customs were challenged and new frontiers are drawn. For the betterment of mankind, new manifestos are formulated. When everyone thought, the life of a human is going peaceful and he is enjoying the deserving dignity and prestige then there came another issue which is known as discrimination. It has many forms, and sometimes people are unable to recognize them precisely.

Classification of discrimination is demonstrated below:

· Age Discrimination; it has occurred when a person is treated unfavorably, not given the same opportunities as given by others in the same circumstances on the basis of age. It is practiced in public life but mostly takes place in workplaces where an employee faces unequal treatment because they are too young or too old and are given different considerations during the hiring process.

· Disability Discrimination; people are discriminated against because they have got any physical disability and illness (including any virus like HIV), a mental illness, assistance like a wheelchair, and any other physical abnormality.

· Gender Discrimination; nature has bestowed both women and men with different qualities, assigned them responsibilities, and stated their rights on each other. Gender discrimination is spelled out as both genders are not given equal rights and opportunities. However, men have enjoyed every opportunity and freedom but women are not even given their basic rights. They are considered to be inferior to men, maybe because of their fragile appearance. Women are treated unfavorably. They are given low amounts of salaries at the same post where men are offered a high amount of salary.

· Religious Discrimination; is referred to be treating people in line with their religion or beliefs. Treating someone unfairly because he belongs to a different religion is totally prohibited by law. Refusing someone to give a bank loan because he is Christian, refusing someone to allow in a restaurant because he’s Muslim, not allowed to own property because he belongs to a minor religion, dismissing someone from work because he’s Jewish are the most common examples of religious discrimination. In many countries, people are killed on the word of their religion. Especially Muslims are been killed because of their religion. Minorities are facing cruel discrimination in every field of life because of their religion.

· Pregnancy and Maternity; many women throughout the world are struggling with pregnancy and maternity discrimination mostly in workplaces. They are fired because of pregnancy, are not given maternity leave, are not promoted because they have maternity-related issues, and are not given paid maternity leave which is unlawful. They should be provided by health insurance which must cover pregnancy and other related condition’s expenses. Women also face discrimination outside the workplace which is also prohibited in law.

· Harassment; is corporeal or jeering conduct that shows or denigrates antipathy and hostility towards an individual because of his cast, color, gender, religion, age, national origin, and any physical or mental disability. Racial epithets, offensive comments, posting offensive or spreading hate speech, or other physical conduct based on an individual’s color or cast are all includes in harassment.

· Race and Color; race and skin color are still continued to serve as a criterion in determining that how a person will be treated evaluated. We certainly know that white will be prized and dark will be demonized. You will be treated favorably if you are associated with a specific high-valued race perhaps, if you are from third a world country’s race, you’re already a coward. You can’t enjoy the same concessions that have been enjoyed by others.

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An Overview of Discrimination all over the World:

The man began to live in villages, cities, and countries. This appropriation gave rise to another appropriation that was of region, color, and race. This allocation gave rise to bloodshed and strife. One nation began to subjugate another nation and began to look at each other with contempt. Discrimination is an outgoing battle that almost every country in the world has been dealing with. The fire of discrimination has engulfed the whole world. It was in third-world countries, but it is also very common in European countries. It has been going on for generations.

An overview of some countries is listed below:

In Pakistan:

Pakistan is a country that came into existence for the sake of Islam. According to this, no one is superior to anyone in any way. But the seed of discrimination sowed by British rulers also took root in Pakistan. Here, too, people began to consider themselves superior to one another for a variety of reasons. Discrimination began on the testimony of race, nation, province, and religion. The fire of sectarianism began to spread. The people who used to be Pakistanis are now called Punjabi, Pathan, Sindhi, and Balochi. Punjabi began to consider Pathans and Pathan began to consider Punjabi inferior.

Religious and belief discrimination is also very common in Pakistan. Shia-Sunni riots are widespread. People of one sect despise another sect. An ordinary person can create extremism. Scholars of one sect are accusing the other sect of as Kafir. Apart from Muslims, people of other religions are also facing a lot of discrimination. However, they are allowed by law to perform their religious rituals.

The fire of gender discrimination is very widespread in Pakistan. The women of Pakistan are struggling with discrimination. However, men are not facing any particular discrimination. Women are killed in the name of honor. In KPK, women are not even allowed to have an ID card, they are not allowed to get an education, they are kept only to the hearth. In our culture, it is normal for men to not helping around the house in the guise of excuses “oh they are not good at that” like as women are born with a broom and mop in their hands.

In India:

India is an inherently discriminated country. The roots of discrimination in India are very strong and deep. Discrimination is embedded in their minds and runs like blood in their veins. The upper castes are not allowed to go through the shadows of the poor. In India, discrimination is not based on the minority. The Muslim population in India is more than the Muslim population of Pakistan, but they are not even given their basic rights. They are not allowed to practice their religious rituals.

Gender and other discriminations are also practiced at a large scale in India.

In European Countries:

The history of European countries is drenched with discrimination. Whether it is in the form of color or race. In America, colorism and racism are practiced on a large scale. There, if you belong to a black race, you should be mentally prepared to face discrimination. You should keep in mind that you are subservient to white people. In the early history of America, black people are badly treated because of their race and color. They are not allowed to take admission in white universities, they are not allowed to inhibit in white people’s colonies. Martin Luther King Jr. was the first person who raised his voice against these cruel customs. After that, black people are given their basic rights. Whether you belong to a royal family or a third-world country, you are going to face colorism anyway.

A recent example of discrimination in America, that diminishes humanity is the murder of 6 Asian people which was based on racism. Another cruel example of this shameful act is the murder of George Perry Floyd Jr. by white police. Religious discrimination is also widespread in America, such as anti-Islam movements.

In the United Kingdom and other countries, discrimination is practiced but not on large scale. In France, Finland, and Australia religious discrimination is widespread. Muslims are known as Terrorists especially after the incident of 9/11.

Although many laws and discrimination grounds have been enacted to prevent discrimination in these countries, it is still very common in the form of racism, colorism, and religious discrimination.

Strategies to Combat Discrimination:

Discrimination has a negative impact on both the social and professional life in which is practiced. It is prohibited by law to practice any kind of discrimination. It is our ultimate responsibility to maintain an environment that is discrimination-free for everyone regardless of caste, color, and creed.

Following are some strategies that we can adapt to combat discrimination:

· Listen and educate yourself; you should pay attention to the people who experience discrimination on daily basis. Educate yourself about discrimination. Read articles, books, documentaries, and podcasts on the issue of discrimination. Many of us, faced discrimination in our formative years and become accustomed to them, and are not aware of our rights. That’s why it is necessary to guide or teach ourselves about discrimination

· Raise awareness; raise awareness about discrimination. Share the resources with your community to help them understand that how they can play a role in diminishing discrimination. Try to educate your friends, family members that they all have a right to live a life with equal rights and dignity.

· Embrace your strength and identity; you can deal with discrimination by embracing your strength and identity. You should be exulted in for who you are. You are not inferior to anyone accordant with caste, color, and creed.

· Report discriminatory content; many platforms are spreading discriminatory content on digital media or print media. If you find any hate speech content against any race, religion, color, and nation report it to the authorities.

· Develop a discrimination-free atmosphere; at public places, educational institutes, at domestic level, or workplaces try to develop a discrimination-free atmosphere. Give respect to everyone. Deal them as human beings, not on the basis of their cast, color, and creed.

People in this world discriminate

Why are humans filled with hate?

They care about your ethnicity

But they should practice simplicity

Everyone should have a right

I’ll stand up and help you fight

They hate the color of your skin

Let’s stick together and then we’ll win

You still wonder what they think

Even when you’re on the brink

Just take time to say hi

We are all under the same sky

Unknown

No one is born superior or inferior to anyone. Everyone is equal according to nature. However, some people are superior in some means because of their positions and roles in our society, such as presidents, army chiefs, and also teachers. We cannot escape the fact that discrimination is a cruel reality of our time. Somehow everyone is facing it at every stage of life. Especially women, disabled people, minorities, people from different religious statuses are more affected by it.

Right from domestic affairs to national and social affairs, it is affecting everyone. In this regard, it is incumbent on everyone to fight against it. Government should make such rules and regulations to eradicate discrimination from our society. Ensuring that discrimination will be uprooted from society and fling into the dustbin of oblivion ensures a better world to live in.