When the word discrimination comes up, most people think of racial mistreatment, because it is so sickeningly common even in this modern age. This blog spends a lot of time covering racial discrimination and the double standard goverment applies to the gay population. However, there are many other ways to discriminate, and they are coming up in the news more frequently. I also see them coming up in day to day contact with people, and my frustration is nearing the breaking point.
We all have our own blind spots. I recently came face to face with one of mine. While discussing athletes and sportsmanship, the subject of intelligence came up. My husband rightfully called me out on assuming athletes were a notch lower on the intelligence scale based on something I said. That isn't to say that I think all athletes are dumb, but it showed a gap deep in my mind that I had never bridged. Despite my regular efforts to see people as individuals, I made a blanket assumption about how athletes would react, and all I could do was own it and try to improve. Dumb jocks, dumb blondes, dumb insert-group-I-dislike is everywhere. But there are worse ways to look at our fellow man.
There is discrimination against overweight people, for example. Many critics of Chris Christie (say that three times fast!) moved right past his career and how he handled the issues and went immediately for his weight. Not only is that immature, it's exposing a major bias we have as a country. The number of overweight people continue to grow, as does the bias against them. The bottom line is weight has no effect on intelligence, talent or potential. It's a health risk, as is smoking, drinking to excess, or other behaviors that go all the way back to George Washington. Big deal, even Obama smoked and don't even start on the booze-loving Bush family. I have plenty of issues with Christie, but how he looks in a suit isn't one of them.
There is discrimination against women. I've been paid less for working harder and in a higher position than my male coworkers. I've been dismissed as weak and brainless. I have been patted on the behind and I have been judged by my boobs and clothes. I realize I'm fortunate that what I've suffered has only edged into annoying and an obstacle I can fight my way through over time. In some parts of this country, being born a female is the equivalent of a life of servitude and abuse. In some parts of the world it's a death sentence or a life of torture or mutilation. In America, women are still treated as weaker and less intelligent, less capable and emotionally vulnerable. We are conditioned to be people pleasing doormats who only win by knowing how to play to the stronger forces. Strong women are still considered ball busters and full makeup is a silent requirement regardless. None of that holds a candle to being flogged in public for driving a car. While that one woman was spared, how many bear scars for wanting the basic freedom of moving around?
Discrimination against the poor must be confronted. There is still a snooty tendency to view the poor as shiftless, dishonest or underachievers. The reality is there are thousands of folks who do everything right and still lose at the game of Life (especially if you score winning purely in financial terms). I've always liked the way this blog stood up for the little guy, and over the years Z has pointed out a thousand ways that the odds are slanted against those who need a helping hand. People doing without has become a much larger reality in the past few years, and there is no improvement in sight. America doesn't promise that you will become successful if you work hard, only that you can drive your own destiny. However, once upon a time the hardworking was able to rise based on their labors, and now there are hardworking people who cannot find employment. Unemployed is no longer a choice, it's a forced reality for thousands who seek full-time jobs. Employers exploit this working class because there is zero competitive risk by slashing benefits and lowering wages. Job openings are always filled and until our economy changes the working poor will become a major section of the nation's labor. A strong work ethic and sharp mind isn't enough to make it nowadays, many poor are condemned to stay there until some massive changes are made.
The problem with discrimination is that while we know that on one level it's wrong, sometimes on another level we demonstrate something else. Even the good guys can make a mistake, and in this case all sides are guilty of something. That doesn't mean we can't come clean now and try to fix our mistakes. We can start by holding government accountable for their oversights, starting with some of the measures on the table that will further punish the poor and reward those who already have enough. We can make sure to recall those events as reasons for voting in a better direction, and send the message that our memory goes back further than the last commercial break. The first political movement to convert minorities into the majority we are once united will rule for a good long while. You would think someone would be smart enough to figure that out and make it happen, but so far it has been an epic failure.