The Binary Nature of Discrimination
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Discrimination is the process of discriminating. There are two types of discrimination: passive and active. Passive discrimination is carefully selecting what one likes or dislikes (he has discriminating taste). It is a reflexive behavior (based on life-long experience) that helps humans survive (avoiding food that makes you sick). Thus, by avoiding something perceived as harmful or dangerous, one instinctively avoids things. The friends one selects for oneself undergo the process of discrimination. This, by its nature, is also the source of biases that we all have.
Active discrimination is different. It is the act of aggressively and degradingly expressing one’s likes and dislikes overtly towards the one against whom it is carried out. Discrimination is the behavior and actions our progressive society needs to eradicate. That is not to say that covert discrimination (which on the surface appears passive) is OK; to the contrary, discrimination (for example) in college acceptance based on race or religion rather than meritocracy is a covert process of discrimination no matter what the ultimate goal is.
Passive discrimination via covert means, therefore, falls under active discrimination, even though, on the surface, it is passive. This topic is discussed in detail by Jonah B. Gelback, Jonathan Klick, and Lesley Wexler of the University of Penn, Carey Law School (2009 — http://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/faculty-scholarship/1126). The authors discuss the many covert, passive, on-the-surface ploys that some employers can, and maybe do, intentionally or unintentionally. This academic scholarly paper assumes that ethnic groups are monolithic and one-dimensional, like a bolt that only fits a unique nut. If the skill set is narrow, such as in a specific sport, the issue is resolved by pure meritocracy, which may result in homogeneousness, which no one seems to oppose. Demanding a heterogeneous team is viewed differently when the business owner aims to win (as do the fans) and maximize his profits.
In reality, people have many attributes that are considered when hiring. If one assumes that a candidate has (for this discussion) five essential characteristics such as the matched education (critical skill), mastery of the language, holding the same core values as the employer, work ethic, and appearance. Maybe all the qualifications are right about what is needed except for the sloppy appearance. Here, the employer has to decide whether the essential skills are more important than the external appearance (geniuses can be eccentric). Some jobs require a neat appearance; not having one would kill the job opportunity. Would you like a physician with dirty nails (or bad hygiene) to touch you as a patient? I doubt it, even if the physician got his medical degree from a well-known university.
Thus, the simple fact is that we all discriminate, whether we do it consciously or unconsciously, passively or actively. Passive discrimination may insult some people (e.g., a friend who cannot form a stronger relationship with you). Still, it is within your freedom to be selective (yet polite and friendly, never insulting). Active discrimination is purposeful (most of the time) and aimed at hurting the other person. When it appears not intentional but instead based on false biases, it can be understood but should not be tolerated.
The Golden Rule should always be exercised not to offend anyone intentionally. Intentional, active discrimination is vile and inhuman, aimed at hurting the other person while making the perpetrator seem superior to the victim. Treating one group one way and another group differently is another way to carry out overt active discrimination. It did not depend on contextualizing the situation, as was demonstrated by some key university presidents (during a recent congressional hearing) who could not see the disparity in their actions. Outrageous calls for genocide of one group are not OK, no matter what the group is (Afro-Americans, Jews, Hispanics, etc.) For the head of a prestigious university to be unable to judge, this blind spot is simply unacceptable. In other words, leaders like this are directly responsible for the deteriorating conditions on college campuses and the rapid deterioration in the quality of our higher education. The tail seems to wag the dog in today’s halls of higher learning. Where are the adults in this college chaos?
Civil demonstrations with messages of dislikes or preferences are within the freedom of expression; however, threats and hooliganism are active discrimination that should not be allowed, especially on college campuses.
Civil society has unwritten laws (part of the core values in our culture) of behavior, just like driving, which has a set of regulations that any driver must know, and we, the other drivers, hope all drivers will follow. If we do not follow this basic assumption, our society will crumble quickly, and our democracy and freedom will vanish for good. Even when we do not see eye-to-eye on specific topics, we must respect each other as an educated civil society. Short of that, we are doomed, and our future looks dim. We must learn to think critically and carry out diverse civil discussions with no insults, demeaning remarks, or lack of respect for the other, no matter how extreme the different opinions or ideas. Any incitement of hate is unacceptable by a civilized society.
Force and terror are not the tools of civilized society. Those who yield to them will fall on their swords. A cohesive society with the same core values has the momentum to move forward and courageously face the future. A bundle of sticks aligned similarly is more robust than any individual stick. A tower of Babble will take us nowhere. Any ideology that divides us is counterproductive and ultimately will take us back to tribalism.
Active discrimination negatively brings out our biases and should be avoided if our society is to thrive rather than be in a never-ending state of conflict spiraling downwards toward disaster. Let us remember the Enlightenment Period and its benefits in our history. Deconstruction of all concepts is a terrible idea (to build is much more complicated than to destroy). Analyzing any idea is good; however, deconstruction and tearing down existing ideas forcefully can only lead to anarchy and chaos, eventually extinguishing our freedoms. Diversity of thoughts and concepts is the strength of our free society, so let us keep sight of the advantages of freely airing ideas without coercion. Lies and incitement that can circulate the world within seconds are destabilizing forces that can negatively sway opinions. The propaganda of falsehoods is a covert discrimination that uses deception to achieve a sinister goal (check out the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” which still circulates the world).
In a complex and free society, active discrimination is a destabilizing force that needs to be eliminated. Respect for others is a two-way street.
GAB
* Jhon Haim at Pixbay