Running head: DISCRIMINATORY BEHAVIOR

Discriminatory Behavior
Mary M. Glass
Wayne State University

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Abstract

Discriminating actions may be less noticeable, however; the bias thoughts still exist. We have all
been affected by them. Some discrimination is definitely more blatant and damaging to physical
and psychological development than others. All discrimination causes some changes in us and
the people we are discriminating against. Several people actually believe they do not have
prejudice thoughts about anyone. If they spent a little time examining their thoughts and actions,
they would likely be proven wrong. The more time we spend realizing we do have
discriminatory behavior and trying to discover ways to correct it, the better off all of society will
be. Our public policies are slowly enabling our nation to display a more diverse representation
of our country. Several people are trying to learn more about others cultures. Organizations are
utilizing demonstrations to bring awareness to the inequality of our nation. Our only logical
choice is to figure out how to respectfully get along with each other and stop social injustice.

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Discriminatory Behavior

Discrimination is a reaction that few people readily admit doing. Many years ago, it was
common for a person to openly talk about discrimination and validate themselves that is was
okay to act in that way. In todays society, those reactions are not as welcomed. Until I took a
few days to really think about how often I make prejudice decisions, I never realized how often it
happens. I was raised in a home that did not openly encourage racism or other prejudice
behavior; nonetheless, I still have bias thoughts. Our government system that decides on all the
policies that affect our nation is filled with discriminatory behavior. Whether we realize it or not,
discrimination is being acted upon all around us. Each of us plays a part. We are discriminated
against, we discriminate against others, and our government approves discriminatory policies.
Discrimination Against Me
As I thought about my life, I realized I do not experience discrimination often. When it
does happen, it has never been severe. Although a recent conversation made me aware sexism is
still happening. This Spring I was hired to be an assistant manager for a farmers market in an
area of a city that was known for having more crime than other areas. I had previously worked at
the location in a different position, thus I was aware of the conditions. I had never manage a
farmers market before therefore I spent hours each week preparing. I love planning, organizing,
and meeting new people, so I was having a great time working. I was happy to be part of
providing fresh produce to the local residents.
The market started in July and I knew my supervisor had planned to be with me during
the first few hours to make sure everything was set up properly. The first week he stayed at the
market from beginning to end. The next week he stayed for three hours then asked if I would be

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okay alone to run the market. I replied, Yeah, I think I can do it. He responded, Are you sure
you do not want me to hire a man to be here with you? I was rather shocked and stated, You
do realize I have worked here alone many times, right? He then realized what he had implied
and apologized. Eventually, I was managing the market from start to finish alone. I am currently
in the process of requesting that the city continue the farmers market next year because the local
residents enjoyed having an event in their area.
Discrimination Against Others
While I ponder about discriminatory behavior, I often think it is only openly displayed,
however; when I had to analysis my behavior, I realized my initial thoughts can tend to be bias. I
may not act out on them openly, but I certainly have them. Recently Professor Bowers suggested
that I read the work of John Rawls. I put the name in my Google search engine and several
websites appeared. I clicked on one and read a short biography about him. I quickly noticed he
was an atheist and immediately close the webpage thinking I do not want to read anything he has
written because his views are different than mine. A few hours later, I realized I should not have
responded in that way. I do not have to become an atheist, however; I do not need to discount
his work because of his spiritual belief. I need to be respectful and view his thoughts. As soon
as I get another opportunity, I will take the time to read some of his works and hopefully learn
something more about social work.
Institutional Discrimination
One of the largest discriminatory problems in our country is at the policy making level.
Policy makers are in a powerful position. Their prejudices are represented in their policies. Most
of the decision makers in our nation are white males. They grew up during a time when white

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supremacy was strongly accepted. For them, it is naturally more difficult to make good choices
for others especially since they may not recognize that they are being discriminatory. Research is
conducted and statistical information is examined but until the policymakers take the time to
learn more about their own discriminatory behavior and the people that their policies affect, it
will not change.
The social construction of the United States has created the way we tend to view our
country and the way policy maker tend to create policies. The fact that we had laws for slaves
implies that our society recognize one race was more important than another (Segal, 2013, p. 70).
The additional fact that laws abolished slavery once again recognizes the right policy makers had
to set them free (Segal, 2013, p. 70). The United States social construction is slowly changing.
Many people are happy to have a person of color as president whether they agree with his
political agenda or not. For some people it is just enough to be able to state that if you are a
different color than white you can succeed, Obama did.
Women in politics face many discriminatory actions. There are clearly less women in
political positions because of the stereotypical idea that men should work and women should stay
at home with the children. When the nation notices that a women is running for office,
comments about she should be a homemaker is often present. Sarah Palin and Hilary Clinton are
just two examples of women that have clearly faced discrimination for practically everything
they did. Even though many are Caucasian women, they still have likely been discriminated
against more than Caucasian men. Because of that knowledge, they could help make policies
more efficient.

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Many of our social welfare policies affect minorities that are already facing
discrimination. One example is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Although Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a social welfare program that addresses
poverty, its recipients are primarily low-income women and children who are disproportionately
people of color (Segal, 2013, p. 68). There are not any political positions filled with someone of
low income. Few are people of color. As a result, they are unable to create policies that will
actually help others.
Tax dollars are being spent on policies like mandatory drug test if you receive public
assistance. Some people in society claim my employer requires me to have one to work, why
shouldnt the people collecting public assistance have to follow the same rules? Drug testing
policies for people collecting public assistance is degrading and extremely costly. If we came
alongside the people that require public assistance to have their essential needs met, we might
understand what would assist them. Policies need to reflect the fact that people need basic help.
We need to provide services that assist our young men to be responsible men. We need to assist
young pregnant women with the resources they need to provide for their baby. Financial
planning classes may help people create a better spending plan for their money. There are some
programs in place, but not enough. We do not need to add on costly repercussions to people that
need assistance. We need to empathized with them and help them find solutions.
Our policy makers have a difficult task to accomplish. The ability to represent such a
diverse population is difficult. Slowly more women and people of other cultures are being
elected to hopefully better represent diversity. People with social work degrees that have studied
diversity need to be more politically involved. You can only change your discriminatory

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thoughts when you actually recognize that you have them. As our government continues to
create policies for our nation, they need to be more aware of their aversive discrimination.

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References

Segal, E. A. (2013). Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Value Perspective. Belmont:
Brooks/Cole.