Defining Prejudice, Discrimination Stereotype, Racism, and other “isms”

1. Defining Prejudice, Discrimination Stereotype, Racism, and other “isms”

2. Racism • The belief that a person’s abilities, personality and values are influenced by race, colour or ethnic origin. • The mistaken belief that one group is superior to another. • Example from Atlantic Canadian Cultural History: White council members decided to move the blacks of Africville

3. Prejudice • A view based on previously held ideas and not on knowledge or experience. • An opinion about a person or group of people formed without knowledge • Example from Atlantic Canadian Cultural History: Halifax City Council did not take the time to get to know the culture of the people of Africville. They assumed that the black community would want to move

4. Discrimination • Treatment of a particular group, or member of a particular group differently or unfairly. • The practice of making or showing a difference based on prejudice. • Example from Atlantic Canadian Cultural History: People of Africville were denied the basic services of water, sewage, sidewalks and paved streets

5. Stereotype • An image that represents all members of a group as being the same. • The view that all members of a group are the same. • Example from Atlantic Canadian Cultural History: All residents of Africville were on welfare

6. Other “isms” • “Isms” are prejudice and stereotypes enforced by people with more power than others, by institutions, and by cultural attitudes and values. • Prejudice + Power = “Isms”

7. Other “isms” • Sexism – Discrimination based on gender, especially discrimination against women • Ageism – Discrimination based on age. Usually against older people, but sometimes against young people. • Classism - is any form of prejudice against people who are perceived to be in a lower social class (especially in economic status)

8. More “isms” • Heterosexism – Discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation. Discrimination against people because they are in love with people of the same gender. • Homophobia – Fear of people who are gay, lesbian or bisexual because of their sexual orientaion.

9. In Germany they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up Because I wasn’t a Communist Then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up Because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up Because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, And I didn’t speak up Because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, And by that time No one was left to speak up. Martin Niemoller

10. People don’t speak up sometimes because… • I have not spoken up about… • I have spoken up about… • My friends will speak up when… • We can speak up when… • It is easier to speak up when...

11. The “isms” hurt us all