2008 Woodie Awards
Inequality does not always equal discrimination
Christopher Heinze
Issue date: 3/13/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Social inequality and discrimination do not mean the same thing. These terms are similar, but it is possible to have social inequality without discrimination.
Webster's New World College Dictionary describes inequality as "an instance of lack of equality." In social inequality, two or more groups of people do not enjoy the same level of opportunities, influence, privileges or protections as the main group of people. This inequality can either be deliberate, as in the case of Jim Crow or Apartheid, or it can occur naturally. Either way, social inequality is a state of being.
Discrimination, according to The American Heritage Dictionary, is the "treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit." Because discrimination is an act (or series of actions), it can be observed, scrutinized and even reduced or eliminated without much difficulty.
Laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit discrimination, so most people try to avoid engaging in discrimination. In fact, organizations like Phi Theta Kappa go out of their way to make sure people who have been subjected to discrimination in the past are included.
Eliminating discrimination by itself, however, does not automatically eliminate the social inequality created by decades of excluding groups of people from educational and political opportunities. Attitudes and values change slowly, and resources needed to take advantage of opportunities aren't always available.
Even though Lorain Community College may have a long way to go toward fostering social equality, the variety of clubs in student life offers hope that equality can happen.
Webster's New World College Dictionary describes inequality as "an instance of lack of equality." In social inequality, two or more groups of people do not enjoy the same level of opportunities, influence, privileges or protections as the main group of people. This inequality can either be deliberate, as in the case of Jim Crow or Apartheid, or it can occur naturally. Either way, social inequality is a state of being.
Discrimination, according to The American Heritage Dictionary, is the "treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit." Because discrimination is an act (or series of actions), it can be observed, scrutinized and even reduced or eliminated without much difficulty.
Laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit discrimination, so most people try to avoid engaging in discrimination. In fact, organizations like Phi Theta Kappa go out of their way to make sure people who have been subjected to discrimination in the past are included.
Eliminating discrimination by itself, however, does not automatically eliminate the social inequality created by decades of excluding groups of people from educational and political opportunities. Attitudes and values change slowly, and resources needed to take advantage of opportunities aren't always available.
Even though Lorain Community College may have a long way to go toward fostering social equality, the variety of clubs in student life offers hope that equality can happen.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Bob Doering
posted 3/14/07 @ 2:27 PM EST
I agree, social inequality and discrimination do not mean the same thing. It is a utopian - and unlikely - scenario that there will ever be social equality. (Continued…)
Bob Doering
posted 3/15/07 @ 4:48 PM EST
"Where the article refers to discrimination and racism as seen by outsiders, it suggests that maybe LCCC could do a better job at including all segments of society. (Continued…)
Golly Gee
posted 11/14/07 @ 9:46 AM EST
I wonder what Malcolm Cash thinks about this subject. Did either of you bother to ask him?
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