University of Maryland Prejudice and Discrimination Discussion
Please note there are three parts to this week’s discussion. Everyone must complete all three parts. Both of the topics in Steps 2 & 3 (practice response and personal response) should be addressed in the same initial discussion post.
In this week’s reading, we learned about how stereotypes occur as a natural process, but your text also stated “because prejudice and discrimination are so harmful to so many people, we must all work to get beyond them” (Saylor Academy, 2012, p. 38). Additionally, your text noted: “The influence of social norms is powerful, and long-lasting changes in beliefs about outgroups will occur only if they are supported by changes in social norms. Prejudice and discrimination thrive in environments in which they are perceived to be the norm, but they die when the existing social norms do not allow it. And because social norms are so important, the behavior of individuals can help create or reduce prejudice and discrimination. Discrimination, prejudice, and even hate crimes such as gay bashing will be more likely to continue if people do not respond to or confront them when they occur. What this means is that if you believe that prejudice is wrong, you must confront it when you see it happening” (Saylor Academy, 2012, p. 42). But saying something is not always easy. As I was working to come up with a good discussion topic for this week, it struck me that we had an opportunity to do some potential good by practicing how to confront prejudice. We will do this by using a modification of several exercises I found online (Lawson, n.d.).
Step 1: LEARN HOW TO RESPOND TO PREJUDICED COMMENTS
Read this article which describes Lawson’s original research study to help you better understand this exercise (http://www.understandingprejudice.org/pdf/roleplay.pdf?logged=true) (Plous, 2000). Pay special attention to the four suggestions included in the Post-Exercise Class Discussion section of the paper. The idea of this exercise is to hopefully learn how to modify someone else’s behavior rather than reinforce it. People often react negatively when attacked, so direct attack is not recommended. You are also to read the book summary of Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In (Fisher & Ury, 1983) at https://www.beyondintractability.org/bksum/fisher-getting (Glaser, n.d.). Use information included in this summary, and the four suggestions included in the Post-Exercise Class Discussion of Plous’ article above, to help you craft appropriate responses.
Step 2: PRACTICE EXAMPLE
Choose one of the scenarios below and respond in an appropriate way to the prejudiced comment. Also, explain why you have chosen to respond as you have.
Scenario 1
Background: Two women were hanging out after school and went to get coffee. They were discussing various topics, and the discussion turned to a sibling who is gay.
Speaker: The student’s sister (college-aged)
Responder: A female college student
Comment: “I don’t know if I can hang out with Kate in public anymore, because I don’t want people to think that I am gay too.”
Scenario 2
Background: Two males are talking while driving, and they see a homeless person on the sidewalk in front of a business.
Speaker: Middle-aged male
Responder: Male college student
Comment: “Homeless people are worthless. Go get a job!”
Scenario 3
Background: Conversation during a dinner date.
Speaker: A male college student
Responder: A female college student
Comment: “I just want a wife who will cook me dinner and do my laundry.”
Scenario 4
Background: They were discussing who should be hired for a job opening.
Speaker: A middle-aged female store manager
Responder: An employee
Comment: “I don’t want to hire anyone who is Goth or wears too much black.”
Scenario 5
Background: Conversation in the car while driving down the road behind an older driver.
Speaker: Black male teenager
Responder: Black male teenager
Comment: “Old people are the worst drivers in the world! They need to have their license taken away.”
Scenario 6
Background: While working at an ice cream store, the coworker commented when a heavier customer entered the store.
Speaker: Male coworker
Responder: A female college student
Comment: “Geez! Like they need any more food, especially ice cream!”
Scenario 7
Background: Two females are driving home from the mall and a car filled with Black people pulled up next to them at a red light. They start discussing the funny appearance of the car.
Speaker: A female college student
Responder: A female college student
Comment: “Quiet, they may have heard us. I don’t want to get shot.”
Scenario 8
Background: Walking through the mall, they see a group of Arabian men
Speaker: A White female 19 years old
Responder: A White female 19 years old
Comment: “Be careful, one them probably has a bomb.”
Step 3: PERSONAL EXAMPLE
Report a prejudiced comment tha
