Identifying Prejudice and Discrimination

1. Identifying Prejudice and Discrimination

2. Questions: As our society becomes more diverse, does stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination and racism increase or decrease? What forms of racism, discrimination and prejudice have occurred in world history? Why?

3. Splitting hairs: Defining words In your tables, define and give an example of each of the following: - RACISM- DISCRIMINATION- PREJUDICE- STEREOTYPE- GENOCIDE

4. Definitions • Racism: Negative behaviour based on an incorrect assumption that one race is inherently superior to others • Discrimination: Unfair actions directed against people based on their race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, language, faith or sexual orientation • Prejudice: A set of opinions, attitudes and feelings that unfairly case a group and its members in a negative light without legitimate reasons • Stereotypes: false or generalized beliefs about a group of people that result in categorizing members without regard for individual difference • Genocide: The most extreme form of systemic discrimination, by which deliberate attempts are made by authorities at mass murder of any national, ethnic, racial, or religious group

5. Other Important Definitions 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 male superiority is part of the philosophy and practices of a company, institution, or a whole society

6. Case Study 1 1948- social scientist S. Wax conducted an experiment to showcase discrimination in Canada Experiment: Respond to 100 ads for summer lodgings in Ontario and requested room reservations for the same dates under two different names: “Mr. Greenberg” and “Mr. Lockwood” Results Conclusions? Same experiment conducted using names “Mr. Smith” and Mr. Little Bear” Results Conclusions?

7. Case Study 2 Texan named Howard Griffin conducted an unusual experiment to experience prejudice in 1960 Used dark pigment and tanning lamps to temporarily change his skin to a dark colour Arranged with a African American magazine to publish a series of stories about his day to day encounters as a black man travelling across the southern US in search of work Results Reaction Effects

8. Case Study 3 2001, Moncton NB 18 year old male arrested after a metre high cross found burning on the front lawn of a black family Where does freedom of expression and speech end and freedom from discrimination begin? Potential charges:-property mischief-vandalism-hate crime

9. Map of Prejudice

10. Kenneth E. Boulding In 1956, he published The Image: Knowledge in Life and Society The book outlined a view of perception where he stated we are shaped and changed by the personal background and experiences of individuals. He used “the image” to describe how people do not perceive things exactly as they exist in the real world He believed instead they responded to an image of reality and this image differs from person to person How can his views be related to the subject of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination?

11. The Paradigm In 1989, American Psychologist Joel Barker worked on the concept of paradigm This was what he called the set of rules and conditions stored in the brain that a person uses to interpret and understand sensory experience A paradigm acts like a filter through which information is processed Eg. The approach of a stranger can be seen by one person as a possible threat, while someone else may see it as just another passerby – Why is this the case?

12. Think about: Is prejudice learned or is it innate? What causes hate? Can prejudice become unlearned? Movie: American History X