The word prejudice is defined as a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience that entails dislike, hostility or unjust behavior formed on such a basis.
When prejudice is applied to people, the word is defined as an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race or their supposed characteristics. If you took the time to redirect your eyes to my headshot for a moment, you would notice that I have red hair.
I have personally been subjected to prejudice all of my life. Some instances of prejudice have been truly nasty, while others were meant in jest. Recently I have had to come to terms with people who jokingly saying I don’t have a soul or I’m a heartless human being who will not be missed when extinct–not because I’m actually heartless or lacking a soul.
When I was younger, I only had to deal with jokes about the color of my crotch or how badly sunburned I get.
For the most part, I’ve learned to cope with and handle it, although I don’t think anyone should ever have to deal with this kind of treatment.
It’s disgusting that we allow ourselves to be caught up on minor differences so much so that we find it necessary to oppress the people who are different without even knowing these people.
This sort of prejudice against people due to their characteristics is the same reason why four African-Americans were shot in Tulsa over Easter weekend. Three of these people died simply because of their skin color. A 13-year-old boy in Kansas was doused in gasoline and lit on fire in March by two teenagers for being white.
Prejudice is the same reason why Michael Sandy died in 2006. Sandy was chased into traffic by four attackers who were attempting to rob him because he was gay.
This same prejudice is the reason why there’s a mock holiday that is all about kicking “gingers.” If you Google this event, a list of several articles exclaiming ginger children being beaten will come to horizon.
Without South Park’s rendition of the word “ginger,” I wouldn’t be able to thank the creators of the television series for being automatically summed up as a soulless, grotesque genetic mutation to the rest of humanity.
We should be embracing our differences rather than expending large amounts of energy to be against one another. We shouldn’t be beating each other down simply for our differences when it is our differences that make the human species unique.
As a species that relies on genetic variation to continue, we are doing a stupendous job at destroying variation and each other through the perpetuation of racism and prejudice.
I don’t understand what is so difficult about ending racism and prejudice, when all we need to do is stop and think. I guess thinking is too much to ask of any one anymore.