Jesse Wood

Literature 286
Paper 2
Prejudice and Discrimination in American Society

The human race is composed of over seven billion people (Worldometers). We are
different. We are all unique. We are distinguished from one another in many aspects. Our
differences are what make us individuals, what make us original, they create our
uniqueness, and our differences are what make us special and beautiful. A society is a
classification used to identify a group of individuals as one people. Therefor, within a
society exist all kinds of differences from one person to another. As individuals living
within our own societies, it is imperative that we embrace each others differences as
positive influences upon our overall society. Unfortunately, this is not the mentality that
societies of past and present have produced. As a result of peoples inability to understand,
accept, and embrace differences amongst each other forms of unfair and unequal
treatment based upon inaccurate feelings have become a common reoccurrence. These
occurrences have been categorized into the terms discrimination and prejudice.
(http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/)

Discrimination is a broad term that can come on many forms. Discriminations

amongst people and or groups of people within societies are not new occurrences.
Discriminations of all types are an unfortunate injustice that plague most societies, past

and present, throughout our world. Likewise, discrimination is ever present in our course
readings about justice.

Before discussing the presence of discrimination within our course readings it is

imperative to understand what discrimination is exactly and to avoid common misuses
and misinterpretations of discrimination. Discrimination is often a misunderstood term.
People often tend to get confused between the terms discrimination and prejudice. There
is a difference between the two terms. That being said, I have obtained individual
definitions of each of the terms in order to clarify before continuing.

Discrimination is defined as the practice of unfairly treating a person or group of

people differently from other people or groups of people. Prejudice is defined as an unfair
feeling of dislike for a person or group because of race, sex, religion, etc.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prejudice

Therefor, with the help of these two definitions one can understand that
discrimination is a practice of unfair treatment of people and prejudice is an unfair feeling
of dislike for people. There are two key words with in these definitions help decipher the
two terms. The key words within the definitions are the verb practice in the definition of
discrimination and the verb feeling in the definition of prejudice. Therefor, we can
determine that discrimination is a practice put into play by the influence of prejudices.

Furthermore, as we look into discrimination we need to be aware of the common

misuse of the term discrimination with the term racism. Racism is a belief that race is the
primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial difference produce an
inherent superiority of a particular race.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prejudice

Therefore, racism is an example of a type of discrimination or a category within

the term discrimination. This type of discrimination is commonly refereed to as racial
discrimination. There are also various other types of discrimination that exist. For
example, discrimination can come in the form of sex, gender, and gender identity
discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, disability discrimination,
nationality discrimination, regional discrimination, economic discrimination,
employment discrimination, and so forth.

As I previously stated, discrimination is an incredibly broad term and comes in

many forms. I want to focus on just two of the many of types of discrimination that I
witnessed in our course readings thus far. The most common type of discrimination that
has been a reoccurring theme of injustice being represented in our course readings thus
far is racial discrimination. Equally as concerning as racial discrimination, I noticed the
reoccurrence of sex, gender, and gender identity discrimination as well through out our
course readings thus far. I do not find it strange that racial and sex, gender, and gender
identity discrimination are the two most common types of discrimination in our course
readings. Racial discrimination and sex, gender, and gender identity discrimination are

also amongst the most commonly used forms of discrimination throughout the world. The
correlation between our fictional readings and reality is clear; these two forms of
discrimination are injustices of great concern to all societies.

I was able to find the use of discrimination in the following course readings; A
Good man is hard to find, Workers, Los Vendidos, The jungle, Cora Unashamed, Battle
Royal, The lesson, Growing Up Native, Serving in Florida, The Yellow Wallpaper,
Lullaby, and A Jury of Her Own Peers.

One of the most obvious displays of racial discrimination in our course readings
thus far exists in Cora Unashamed. This story follows the life of an African American
woman named Cora whose life seems to be a continuous battle with racial discrimination.
Cora is openly referred to in the story as a Nigress, which is a derogatory term of racist
origins used in reference to African American women in America (Hughes 290-292). The
employers that exist in Milton also racially discriminate against Cora. She is not given
the same employment opportunity as the other members of her society of Milton due to
her being African America. We are also informed by Hughes that Coras parents have
struggled their whole lives in Milton for equal employment opportunities and that all of
her siblings have previously left Milton in order to find equal or at least better
employment opportunities else where (292). Coras situation in Milton of constant
discrimination is a result of long embedded prejudices instilled upon the society of
Milton. At the time that this fictional story is set people were open about their prejudices
towards minorities and let their prejudices inspire actions of discrimination without

hesitation. Openly discriminating against African Americans was sadly a common

practice for much of American society up until recent years. Fortunately, the American
society has become aware of the inequalities that prejudices can create and the
devastation that discriminations can cause. This awareness can be credited to many
diligent citizens and their efforts for civil rights and the movements that enlightened
society towards equality amongst all people, not just men of European decent (Hughes
290).

In Lullaby we dive into the mind of Leslie Marmon Silkos recollections of her
life situations involving her struggles in as a woman of Pueblo and Laguna Indian, as
well as Mexican decent in the mid to latere1900s American society (335). Silkos
trademark story telling style of writing gives the reader a first hand account of her
personal experiences with discrimination and prejudices as a Native American woman in
American society. This reading is a compelling piece that produces a feeling of
compassion for the victims of discrimination and prejudice. Silkos narration creates a
read that makes one feel as though they are partaking in Silkos experiences. Silkos
Lullaby demonstrates that racial discrimination is an unforgettable injustice for its
victims. The victims of racial discrimination, such as Silko, may spend a lifetime trying
to mentally recover from its consequences (Silko 335)

Prejudices can create an atmosphere of uncomforted for the people affected

thereof. This uncomfortable atmosphere is demonstrated by Toni Cade Bambara in The
Lesson (302). Bambaras fiction is set in New York City, sometime around the 1970s.

The story follows a group of minority children and their neighborhood teacher, Miss
Moore. The children accompanied by Miss Moore visit the F.A.O Schwarz museum
located amongst the upper class Caucasian society of New York City (308). Here, the
children, being of African American heritage, are compelled to feel out of their element in
this area of the city that is predominantly inhabited by white folks. The children are able
to sense the prejudices immediately as they explore the museum. The children are looked
at negatively as if they dont belong. The children are also led to the feeling of economic
discrimination as they witness the materialism that the white folks of this area engage in
(306). Imagine for a minute what kind of society it is in which some people can spend
on a toy what it would cost to feed a family of six or seven. Says Miss More in regards
to the childrens astonishment at the financial availability of white families (309). This
piece by Bambara displays the economic discrimination and inequalities that many
African Americans faced in the 1960s and 1970s prior to civil rights movement
successes. (Bambara 232)

As I mentioned in the opening paragraphs, discrimination is not subject to just

racial influences. Another form of discrimination that has produced injustice for
individuals of societies past and present is sex, gender, and gender identity
discrimination. Sex, gender, and gender identity discrimination is defined as an adverse
action taken by one person against another person that would not have occurred had the
person been of another sex. This discrimination is usually influenced by prejudice beliefs
and attitudes about a person of specific gender. A common target of sex, gender, and
gender identity discrimination through out historys and into present day societies is the

female race. Women have been discriminated against due to common, yet inaccurate,
belief that they are inferior to the male race. In regards to American society, woman have
been influenced by society to fit a certain mold or stereotype of what a woman should be,
disregarding the desires on the individual, and forcing women to subject themselves to
less than their inherent freedoms. Today, our country has come a long ways in the
struggle for gender equality and equal rights for women. Unfortunately, it has taken quite
some time for us to come to this realization of equality amongst men and women alike,
leaving many women of past to suffer the consequences of sex, gender, and gender
identity discrimination and prejudice.

A prime example of sex, gender, and gender identity discrimination can be found
in Susan Glaspells A Jury of Her Peers. In this fictional reading Glaspell illustrates the
prejudice attitudes that men have for women. Glaspell presents a scenario in which the
men of the town are investigating a murder. The men do not welcome the idea of the
women helping in solving the case, but rather let them to do the womanly things.
Throughout this story the wives of the men investigating the murder are casually belittle
by the men. The men make remarks such as women are used to worrying over trifles
and Dirty towels! Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, Ladies? and other
comments that emphasize the mens prejudice mentality towards women (262). The men
of the story seem to be naive of their prejudice and discriminations or possible do not see
anything wrong with them due to societies state of realization about gender equality.
(Glaspell 256)

Another prime example of gender prejudice is found in Charlotte Perkins

Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper. In this reading we dive into the mind of a physicians
wife, who is suffering from mental illnesses, and experiences depression (239). The
physicians wife, whom Giman leaves unnamed, is the narrator of this story. We follow
her deep thoughts and delusions as she sinks into depression. Her depression is due to her
unhappiness with her life situation. She seems to want more than her current life situation
presents her. She longs for more freedom and more independence. She is confined to her
place of residency with little to do except get lost in thought, which is where the woman
in the wallpaper derives from, as the narrator is not thinking clearly and mentally
unstable. The woman in the wallpaper seems to represent the narrators desire for
independence from her husband, not because he is bad to her, but because societies
prejudices towards women has left her with little opportunities for her to create her own
life. American society in the past has limited the independence of women and subjected
them to roles of wives and mothers. This story is an example of gender inequality and the
mental discouragement it can cause upon the women subject thereto. (Gilman 238)

Similar to the injustices of gender prejudice and discrimination displayed in

Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper, we see the effects of gender discrimination on the
individual in Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour. When Mrs. Mallard heard of her
husbands passing she was filled with a rush of mixed emotions. But she saw beyond that
bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely.
And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome. There would be no one to
liv for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. (Chopin 234) This

quote from our reading exemplifies the trapped feelings that Mrs. Mallard was
experiencing due to societies demands for women to fit their stereotypes of stay at home
wives and mothers, due to prejudices implying that women are less able than men to be
independent. (Choppin 232)
Sex, gender, and gender identity discrimination in regards to discrimination of
women is often more difficult to see than other forms of discrimination. The difficultly in
being aware of discrimination against women lies in the presumably embedded
prejudices of the society wherein the discrimination is occurring. More so, this type of
discrimination can often be viewed as petty or seen as a normal way of life by people
un- aware of gender discriminations negative consequences upon the victim. As
previously stated, gender discrimination is usually caused by stereotyping of a gender,
most often women, as less than or inferior to men.
Modern societies are becoming increasingly aware of prejudices and the different
forms of discrimination and their negative affects on people and the subjected society.
Progression towards eliminating prejudice and discrimination in societies continues as
people becoming further knowledgeable on the subject and aware of its consequences.
Key figure such as Malcolm x, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks to name a
few, have had tremendous impact of the battle against racial discrimination. Progression
towards ending racial discrimination in American has seen successes such as
desegregation of schools due to the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case.
The African American Civil Rights Movement was a key factor in desegregation and
abolishment of the Jim Crow Laws.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Crow_laws

The womens rights movement has been active since 1848 when the first womens
rights convention took place in Seneca Falls, New York. Since then the womens rights
movement has seen results such as the 19th Amendment to the constitution, passed in
1920, which granted women the right to vote. Furthermore, seeing results such as
abortion and bill control rights including Row v. Wade case, which provided womens
right to safe and legal abortion. The womens rights movement has also contributed to the
establishment of organizations such as the Equal Pay Act, the establishment of Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Organization for Women
(NOW). http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womenstimeline2.html

Furthermore, the American society has made progression again discrimination of

all types. This progression against discrimination includes the Age Discrimination Act of
1975, The Anti Discrimination Act of 1977, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
Title IX of education Amendments of 1972, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-discrimination_law

Works Cited

Bambara, Toni Cade. The Lesson. 302. Justice and Literature, 1972. Print.

Choppin, Kate. The Story of an Hour. 232. Justice and Literature, 1894. Print.

Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. The Yellow Wallpaper. 238. Justice and Literature, 1892.
Print.

Glaspell, Susan. A Jury of Her Peers. 256. Justice and Literature, 1917. Print.

Hughes, Langston. Cora Unashamed. 290. Justice and Literature, 1969. Print.

Silko, Leslie Marmon. Lullaby. 335. Justice and Literature, 1981. Print.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrimination. Discrimination. Wikipedia. Web.

http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-discrimination-and-vs-racism/.
The Difference Between. Web. 11 Jan. 2011.

http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/. Worldometers. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Crow_laws. Jim Crow Laws. Wikipedia. Web.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womenstimeline2.html