Discrimination:  What it is, characteristics and Cause

What is discrimination?

The term  discrimination  comes from the verb to discriminate. It means to establish a separation and a differentiation between objects or people. In the broad sense, discrimination is a way of ordering and classifying objects as well as beings (animals, plants, people).

In contrast, discrimination against people occurs when there is an unfavorable attitude towards a particular, specific and different human characteristic inherent in a human race. This is called racial discrimination.

Social discrimination, on the other hand, occurs when a person is treated in an unequal or inferior manner, for example because of their belonging to a different social class, religion, etc., that is to say when a person is marginalized for having a different religion or having different ideological beliefs.

Article 7 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that:

"Everyone is equal before the law and has, without distinction, the right to equal protection of the law. Everyone has the right to equal protection against any discrimination which violates this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination."

Over the years, the United Nations (UN) has made various efforts to eradicate discrimination in the societies of member countries.

Cause of discrimination

The main cause of discrimination is fear of the other, which results in the rejection of people with different human characteristics, ideological and social affiliations. This fear is sharpened by lack of education, ignorance of the fact that there is human diversity and beliefs that must be respected.

A discriminatory attitude is characterized by the destruction or non-respect of fundamental human rights, affecting an individual in his social, cultural, political or economic dimension.

Discrimination has serious consequences for social well-being, it generates intolerance, violence, racism and xenophobia.

Segregation and social exclusion are serious consequences of discrimination and have a very negative impact on society.

Types of discrimination

There are many types of discrimination, but all of them have in common, unfavorable or inferior treatment, undeserved contempt for people with whom we do not share the same social class, the same characteristics or the same ideas.

Among those most subject to discrimination are the disabled, blacks, indigenous peoples, pregnant women, gay men, LGBT people, migrants and refugees.

Among the different types of discrimination we can cite:

• Racial discrimination: which is discrimination based on belonging to a non-predominant race or because of prejudices linked to a certain ethnic group,
• gender discrimination or sex discrimination: this is discrimination based on sexual gender.
• Age discrimination: particularly directed against boys and girls who suffer from abuse of power.
• Discrimination based on a person's nationality or origin: this type of discrimination generally affects migrants or foreigners from countries that suffer from prejudice,
• Religious Discrimination: It is discrimination based on religious beliefs, religious practices or customs.
• Political discrimination: This type of discrimination is based on political membership or ideology.
• Discrimination based on situation or social position: it is an unequal treatment due to conditions of disability or membership of a social class.
• Racial discrimination: Racial discrimination is one of the most common forms of discrimination, it consists of differentiating, excluding or restricting the rights of a person on the basis of their race, color, ancestry or his ethnic origin.
• Positive discrimination: is that which leads to taking a series of actions in order to minimize the discrimination suffered by certain people, with the aim of guaranteeing equal treatment and reducing the rates of discrimination. For example: offering scholarships to young people from low-income families; employ people who have one type of disability, but who can still perform various tasks.

Fight against discrimination

International law has defined the prohibited forms of discrimination to combat the different types of discrimination. At the same time, the 1966 International Convention against Racial Discrimination established the principle of the prohibition of any kind of distinction.

Some forms of discrimination include: exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin. The list of acts of discrimination also includes any act aimed at preventing in one way or another the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Article 225-1 of the French Penal Code defines discrimination punishable by criminal penalties. It is about discrimination based on origin, belonging, true or supposed, ethnic groups, nations, race and religion. These different types of discrimination are manifested by the refusal to hire, to provide goods and services, to obstruct the exercise of a normal and legal economic activity, but also the dismissal of workers, etc.

The fight against different types of discrimination is based on the principle of equality between citizens. However, for various reasons inherent in human nature, the principle of equality is flouted. We sometimes see scenes of discrimination of various kinds, starting with gender discrimination, passing through all other types of discrimination, to end up with racial discrimination.

Update date: February 12, 2021.

 

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