“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” said Nelson Mandela at a joint meeting of the United States Congress, Washington DC (26 June 1990)
How many people are every minute , hour , day , week or year discriminated around the world ? Surely Millions of people . Anyway determining the exact average number of people who experience discrimination per day around the world is a challenging task, as discrimination can occur in various forms and in different contexts. Discrimination can be overt or subtle, and not all instances are reported or recorded. Additionally, discrimination affects individuals and groups based on various factors such as race, gender, religion, disability, and more. However, it is important to acknowledge that discrimination remains a prevalent issue globally, impacting the lives of countless individuals on a daily basis
Discrimination is a complex and multifaceted issue that has persisted throughout history, affecting various aspects of society. It is an unfortunate reality that individuals and groups continue to face discrimination based on their race, gender, religion, disability, or other characteristics. In order to fully comprehend what means discrimination, it is necessary to analyze its definition, forms, underlying causes must of them being legal .
This our article aims to provide an analytical exploration of discrimination, highlighting its detrimental effects and potential solutions.
Discrimination can be defined as the unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups based on certain characteristics. It involves the denial of fundamental rights, opportunities, and privileges to individuals solely because of their membership in a particular group. Discrimination can manifest in various forms, including but not limited to racial discrimination, gender discrimination, religious discrimination, and disability discrimination.
Racial discrimination is a particularly pervasive form of discrimination, where individuals are treated differently based on their race or ethnicity. This form of discrimination has deep historical roots and has been a persistent issue across societies. Starting to be stronger from the slavery period. Today , It can manifest in overt acts of racism, such as racial slurs or hate crimes, as well as more subtle forms, such as institutional biases or systemic inequalities.
Gender discrimination refers to the unequal treatment of individuals based on their gender identity. This form of discrimination is characterized by the limitation of opportunities and rights for individuals based on societal expectations and stereotypes. The gender pay gap, limited representation in leadership positions, and unequal access to education are some of the manifestations of gender discrimination.
Religious discrimination occurs when individuals are targeted or marginalized due to their religious beliefs or practices. It can lead to exclusion, prejudice, and even violence against individuals or communities based on their faith. Religious discrimination not only infringes upon individual rights but also hampers social cohesion and harmony.
Additionally, discrimination against individuals with disabilities is a grave issue that restricts their access to education, employment, and public services. This form of discrimination is rooted in misconceptions and prejudices about disability, resulting in the marginalization and exclusion of disabled individuals from various aspects of society.
It is important to recognize that discrimination does not occur in isolation. It is often fueled by deep-rooted prejudices, stereotypes, and power dynamics within society. Discrimination can be perpetuated by individuals, institutions, and even societal norms. It is crucial to address these underlying causes to effectively combat discrimination.
The dark role of some official legal texts
Although one of discrimination’s causes has to be particularly underlined: legal discrimination .
Throughout history, discrimination has been legitimized and perpetuated through official legal texts and laws. These legal instruments have not only reinforced discriminatory practices but have also had long-lasting effects on marginalized groups. To address the problem of discriminations it is important to talk about significant official legal texts and laws that have legitimated discrimination in history, thereby perpetuating inequality and injustice.
The Code de l’indigénat was a series of colonial laws or administrative practices applied in parts of Africa and other colonized regions. These laws aimed to control and restrict the indigenous population, generally considered to be non-European populations. The native code often imposed a set of strict rules governing the daily lives of indigenous populations. It included provisions such as travel restrictions, compulsory labor requirements, special taxes, and in some cases, legal limitations on marriage and property.
The Jim Crow laws in the United States is one of the most prominent examples of legal text that legitimized discrimination . These laws, enacted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, enforced racial segregation and institutionalized discrimination against African Americans. They mandated separate facilities, such as schools, transportation, and public spaces, based on race. These laws were in effect until the civil rights movement in the 1960s challenged their constitutionality and paved the way for desegregation.
The Nuremberg Laws in Nazi Germany. Enacted in 1935, these laws targeted Jews and other minority groups, stripping them of their rights and subjecting them to persecution. The Nuremberg Laws defined who was considered Jewish based on ancestry and prohibited marriages and sexual relationships between Jews and non-Jews. These laws laid the groundwork for the systematic discrimination and eventual genocide of millions during the Holocaust.
The apartheid regime in South Africa, enacted numerous laws that systematically oppressed the non-white population. The Population Registration Act of 1950 classified individuals into racial categories, determining their rights and privileges based on their race. Other laws, such as the Group Areas Act and the Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, enforced racial segregation and restricted movement and access to resources for non-white individuals. These laws were only abolished in the early 1990s with the end of apartheid.
Furthermore, many countries have had laws that discriminated against women, limiting their rights and opportunities. For instance, until the late 20th century, women in various parts of the world were denied the right to vote. In some countries, marital rape was not considered a crime, and women faced legal barriers to property ownership and employment opportunities. These discriminatory laws have gradually been repealed or amended, reflecting the progress towards gender equality. But their is still a lot to do in order to change things .
Official legal texts and laws have played a significant role in legitimating discrimination throughout history. The examples mentioned, such as , the code de l’indigénat , the Jim Crow laws, the Nuremberg Laws, apartheid laws, and discriminatory laws against women, highlight the extent to which legal systems have been used to perpetuate inequality and marginalize certain groups. Recognizing and understanding these historical injustices is crucial in order to learn from the past and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future. Efforts to reform laws and promote equal rights for all are essential in combating discrimination and upholding the principles of justice and human rights. But that’s not the easiest thing to do, because discrimination is a deeply ingrained social problem that continues to plague societies worldwide ( racism ,sexism, homophobia … ) By understanding the various forms and underlying causes of discrimination, we can work towards dismantling the barriers that perpetuate inequality and injustice. It is essential for individuals, communities, and governments to come together and promote inclusivity, equality, and respect for all. Only through collective efforts can we hope to create a society that is free from discrimination and ensures equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or disability. We advice with our association SMILEDATION 3 types of actions that should be taken against discriminations .
The first are based on long term perspective actions that as to go deep in the roots of discriminations ; the second one are short term perspective actions they can included campaign , demonstration , strikes , support … The third and the last but not the least one is our Reaction in front of a discrimination, this reaction has to be in 3 steps: we saw the discrimination , we are with you, and we are making our best to solve to protect you .
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By Hans Dimitri NGUILE
People & culture spécialiste .
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