Defining Prejudice, Defining Prejudice, Discrimination Discrimination

Stereotype, Stereotype, Racism, and other Racism, and other

“isms”“isms”

RacismRacism

The belief that a person’s abilities, The belief that a person’s abilities, personality and values are influenced personality and values are influenced by race, colour or ethnic origin.by race, colour or ethnic origin.

The mistaken belief that one group is The mistaken belief that one group is superior to another.superior to another.

Example from Atlantic Canadian Example from Atlantic Canadian Cultural History: White council Cultural History: White council members decided to move the blacks members decided to move the blacks of Africvilleof Africville

PrejudicePrejudice

A view based on previously held ideas A view based on previously held ideas and not on knowledge or experience.and not on knowledge or experience.

An opinion about a person or group of An opinion about a person or group of people formed without knowledgepeople formed without knowledge

Example from Atlantic Canadian Cultural Example from Atlantic Canadian Cultural History: Halifax City Council did not take History: Halifax City Council did not take the time to get to know the culture of the the time to get to know the culture of the people of Africville. They assumed that people of Africville. They assumed that the black community would want to the black community would want to movemove

DiscriminationDiscrimination

Treatment of a particular group, or Treatment of a particular group, or member of a particular group differently member of a particular group differently or unfairly.or unfairly.

The practice of making or showing a The practice of making or showing a difference based on prejudice.difference based on prejudice.

Example from Atlantic Canadian Cultural Example from Atlantic Canadian Cultural History: People of Africville were denied History: People of Africville were denied the basic services of water, sewage, the basic services of water, sewage, sidewalks and paved streetssidewalks and paved streets

StereotypeStereotype

An image that represents all An image that represents all members of a group as being the members of a group as being the same.same.

The view that all members of a The view that all members of a group are the same.group are the same.

Example from Atlantic Canadian Example from Atlantic Canadian Cultural History: All residents of Cultural History: All residents of Africville were on welfareAfricville were on welfare

Other “isms”Other “isms”

““Isms” are prejudice and stereotypes Isms” are prejudice and stereotypes enforced by people with more power enforced by people with more power than others, by institutions, and by than others, by institutions, and by cultural attitudes and values.cultural attitudes and values.

Prejudice + Power = “Isms”Prejudice + Power = “Isms”

Other “isms”Other “isms”

Sexism – Discrimination based on Sexism – Discrimination based on gender, especially discrimination against gender, especially discrimination against womenwomen

Ageism – Discrimination based on age. Ageism – Discrimination based on age. Usually against older people, but Usually against older people, but sometimes against young people.sometimes against young people.

Classism - is any form of prejudice Classism - is any form of prejudice against people who are perceived to be against people who are perceived to be in a lower social class (especially in in a lower social class (especially in economic status)economic status)

More “isms”More “isms”

Heterosexism – Discrimination Heterosexism – Discrimination against people because of their against people because of their sexual orientation. Discrimination sexual orientation. Discrimination against people because they are in against people because they are in love with people of the same gender.love with people of the same gender.

Homophobia – Fear of people who Homophobia – Fear of people who are gay, lesbian or bisexual because are gay, lesbian or bisexual because of their sexual orientaion.of their sexual orientaion.

In Germany they came first for the Communists,In Germany they came first for the Communists,And I didn’t speak upAnd I didn’t speak upBecause I wasn’t a CommunistBecause I wasn’t a CommunistThen they came for the Jews,Then they came for the Jews,And I didn’t speak upAnd I didn’t speak upBecause I wasn’t a Jew.Because I wasn’t a Jew.Then they came for the trade unionists,Then they came for the trade unionists,And I didn’t speak upAnd I didn’t speak upBecause I wasn’t a trade unionist.Because I wasn’t a trade unionist.Then they came for the Catholics,Then they came for the Catholics,And I didn’t speak upAnd I didn’t speak upBecause I was a Protestant.Because I was a Protestant.Then they came for me,Then they came for me,And by that timeAnd by that timeNo one was left to speak up. No one was left to speak up.

Martin NiemollerMartin Niemoller

People don’t speak up sometimes People don’t speak up sometimes because…because…

I have not spoken up about…I have not spoken up about… I have spoken up about…I have spoken up about… My friends will speak up when…My friends will speak up when… We can speak up when…We can speak up when… It is easier to speak up when...It is easier to speak up when...

The “isms” hurt The “isms” hurt us allus all