Are the only people passionately against discrimination the ones who are most often discriminated?

Question

What I mean is, have you ever met a person who was fully anti-discriminatory that just by looking at them you know they have never been discriminated against in their life? I guess what I am really trying to get at: I get discriminated against so much. I'm filippino.

What's kind of interesting is that at school us kids dont discriminate, hardly at all. I mean if you get beat up or picked on its not because your asian, it's because your a nerd or ugly. I'm sort of on the quiet side personally but I'm very lucky to be pretty, so people are nice to me. But I have this friend who is such a geek. A lot of people talk about her behind her back, like literally, as if she can't hear. She's chinese, if that matters.

It's mostly adults that are like this. I am not talking about full-out discrimination. Some adults, like cashiers or clerks, won't converse with me unless I instigate it. Like all they say is "hello." It gets me mad how they go out of their way to talk to their fellow white folk,

Answer 1

It's just like anything - we are usually passionate about things that are close to us, or hit home. If something affects us on a personal level, we will have a tendency to respond strongly.  But, the world is full of examples of people who feel strongly about things that do not necessarily affect them directly. I have always been strongly anti-racist and anti-poverty, even though I did not grow up poor to my recollection, nor am I am a victim of racial discrimination. I know another person who has no family members that are blind or deaf, but she is a blind and deaf educator. I think anti-racism and anti-discrimination is a noble cause, and one we must fight for. Also, in the 21st Century, racism is senseless - and yet I see it everyday (I live in one of the southern states).

Answer 2

People discriminate that which they do not understand...it's a fear-based thing.  Your are right in saying that kids/youth only judge cultural difference if that's what they are "adult-erated" with at home.

Ever see the movie "Volcano" with Tommy Lee Jones???  Well, at the end when everyone is covered in ash, a little boy takes notice that all the people look the same...and they did--you couldn't tell race or color thru the ash, and then it rained on them and all the variety came alive again...excellent point made!!!

Unfortunately, fear reigns our species...we hardly even take note that during disasters and wars we all pool together.  Too bad we don't see our diversities as spices of life, but I have hope in continued evolution.  Best thing to do toward that process...every time you feel someone is not being courteous or is being judgmental of you...simply bless them and move on...it's a positive thought & action over-riding the negative...this reflects change in a grander direction.

Good Journey!!!

Answer 3

I was interested that you think discrimination is about race and not about people being ugly or 'nerdish'

what would that be termed as then?

yes it helps to get a feel for the dynamics of abuse if you have been discriminated against - for any reason -

Awareness sessions usually begin with looking at how the participants have been discriminated against themselves so they can make connections.

Some people dont accept others who were born four miles out of their village - People really are frightened of 'other' - Its their limitation not ours.