Quote:
Originally posted by Meli W.
Actually, I think M's point is being misanswered. M asked about examples of this and what as a community we should do.
I've seen it many times - such as driver's being chosen just b/c they are seniors when others were better qualified, teams getting picked jsut b/c they have done well in the past and so on...
I dunno...
I wish people would just become more accepting.
|
Perhaps I didn't structure my question well. Perhaps I made a few poor assumptions about how people felt about discrimination. I'm not sure.
There are many common forms of discrimination. They're so common, in fact, that our society needs to enforce laws that prohibit them and penalize people for exercising such discrimination. Age, race, sex, gender, orientation, religion, disability; or someone's perception of these characteristics are all common causes for discrimination.
I should also be clear that I understand the difference between making an informed decision that's based on some level of merit versus passing judgement based on stereotypes and accepted behavior. I know that this is a difficult question, as well, but I have been impressed by peoples' responses to difficult subjects in the past.
So, to elaborate further, where do we draw the line where discrimination is concerned? If the KKK wanted to bring FIRST to two dozen white children in Mississippi, but would only do so by the conscious exemption of black children, is that acceptable? If a church sponsored a team but excluded Buddhists? If a Boy Scout troop sponsored a team but excluded gays and women? In each of these examples, there doesn't seem to be any logical reason to exclude another group based on their ability and potential to accomplish the same things and benefit in the same ways as any others.
I understand that we, as a culture, and as individuals, cannot cater to the needs and desires of every individual, everywhere, all at the same time. To even attempt to do would drive us all insane. I understand that our beliefs and opinions are formed by our experiences. I understand that we're each entitled to form and hold opinions and that we're each, at some level, obligated to tolerate the opinions of others.
What I can't yet grasp, however, is where we draw the line.