People have a long history of being intolerant of others who are different from them, which is the root of social discrimination. Social discrimination can be based on things like a person's gender, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnicity as well as factors like a person's weight or disability. To combat social discrimination, it's important for everyone to examine their beliefs about people who look, think, and act differently than they do. Instead of making assumptions about others based on biases, make an effort to get to know others who have different beliefs and backgrounds. This helps create a more socially diverse and healthy society.
School
Students can also experience discrimination at school. When discrimination happens at a school, it is called institutionalized discrimination. Acts of discrimination might be intentional or indirect. Indirect discrimination usually happens when a school follows the policies it has always had without thinking about how they might affect today's students. Schools need to examine their policies to ensure that these rules don't contribute to inequities.
Signs of Discrimination
It may be very obvious when discrimination is taking place, but sometimes, mistreatment can be harder to recognize. Being aware of common red flags and watching for them is important. If inappropriate comments or questions arise or people make assumptions about someone's race, age, or gender identity, for example, discrimination may be occurring. Unequal pay, unfair promotions, and unjust disciplinary action can also be signs of discrimination. Assumptions or references to age may be discrimination, too. Proving discrimination can be challenging, but if you think discrimination is happening, you may be able to file a claim to get assistance.