Diversity, Equity and Social Justice Free Essay Example, 750 words

Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice The 4 â€Å"isms† chosen for purposes of discussion in this paper are racism, religionism, sexism, and ageism. Racism is very well known worldwide. Many people identify blacks to be the historical slaves of whites, having less education, and inferior in many ways. It is not only about the color of the skin. It can be a bias or negative impression against another nationality like the Talibans or Al Qaida because Americans were terrorized by their evil deed in September 11. There are news reports showing comments against Chinese just because they come from a communist country. Failure to educate the children to recognize and respect fellow human beings as co-equal in terms of rights and privileges, regardless of race or color, can build hate, fear, or self-limitations that can make life difficult in this world. As a child, every person should receive respect, care, and justice so that he or she may remember to do the same to another race at any point in time. At an early age, children have learned to distrust other races, probably from some elders of their own race, which makes it difficult for them be happy and comfortable with children not of the same race. We will write a custom essay sample on Diversity, Equity and Social Justice or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now It has become difficult at times to eliminate that preconceived understanding that caused their distrust. Religionism has been a great controversy. Even among Christians, one denomination claiming to recognize only the goodness of certain acts, while condemning acts contradicting their preferred acts, although such acts legal or in good taste, can make this world look rather weird. Cope, Mike and Shelly, Rubel (2008) described such people as religious extremists who miss the point of holy living. Those who claim to be learned in the Scriptures or the Koran can become fault finders even in the way people dress. An entire population with the culture of practicing traditions in the present is seen as lawless just because of the interpretations of some religious leaders who want their culture to prevail over another culture. Just take the case of the interpretation of Baptism in order to be saved. Catholics recognize Baptism when the priest sprinkles water on a child. But some Protestants disown the salvation of children because Baptism in their understanding is not sprinkling but immersio n of the entire body in water. And so, among Christians, there are divisions, hatred, envy, jealousy. I even overheard one who said it is good to steal from another denomination because they belong to the devil. Wealth should never be in the hands of the devil. Therefore stealing is right for them. This kind of teaching destroys moral values to a point wherein lawlessness can prevail in the long run. Sexism is said to be destroying American future. Berg, Barbara J. (2009) was able to cite many evidences about anti-feminine gender in the USA. And her claims included the disparity of salaries between men and women, the government policies on abortion, contraceptives, and many other discriminations against the female gender. Teaching children, specially boys to be fair with girls at all times, will eventually train men to recognize the value of women or the female gender which should be regarded highly as to make them truly deserve equality in many respects. A lack of respect for the female gender could be the main reason for high divorce rates and lots of broken families. Ageism or discrimination against the older generation has exacted a toll on the high unemployment rate of people who are 55 and above. The General Accountability Office (GAO, 2012) reported that 55% of the workers who were old and unemployed could not find jobs for over 6 months, according to 2011 statistics. Are the elderly sectors of society not as human as people in their youthful age? What will they eat and live with without an earning job? At Linked In, there are groups who have identified themselves as unemployed and job seekers. One 58 year old testified how skilled, talented, and experienced he is at his age, and yet the world of business makes him feel useless, after striving to find a job for over 6 months and not getting one. For the children, this can have a demoralizing effect when they see their supposed model characters feeling frustrated about their lives. So far, the solution of society has been to place the elderly in the home of the aged, which makes them look lik e they are sick although they are not. And the children get the wrong impression of their own future thinking this is how they will be when they grow old. It emphasizes futility of living at an early age. Others affected by this scenario, may have joined the rat race for material wealth in order to avoid ending up like most old people, to the extent of being shrewd towards fellowmen. A deep understanding of diversity, equity, and social justice can be inculcated in children as well as in adults willing to learn the implications of racism, religionism, sexism, and ageism, Every person is uniquely gifted and certainly deserving of human rights like respect, peace, a decent means of survival which we call work, access to basic needs, opportunities, health care, and the other benefits of life. Regardless of race, creed, color of the skin, whether ugly or beautiful, male or female, short or tall, fat or thin, young or old – all these make no difference in terms of the value of a human being. All men are created equal in spirit and truth. It does not take much intelligence to realize that eventually, all men will settle in a grave of his own with no palace or face, just to prove all men are created equal. All men live to enjoy the gift of life, not to be downgraded by discriminations. Therefore, people should remember to live the way human beings should live, h aving compassion and responsibility for others. Each one need not learn the hard way in order to discover this truth. Everybody can choose to do what is right. In the video, Nadiyah Taylor, Julie Benabides, and Louise Derman Sparks had to learn their lessons the hard way. But at least they learned. Everybody else should also be taught the same diversity, equity, and social justice. Children should also be taught the same while they are young. References Berg, Barbara J. (2009). Sexism in America: Alive, well, and Running Our Future. Lawrence Hill Books, September 1, 2009. Cope, Mike and Shelly, Rubel (2008). What Would Jesus Do Today? LA, USA: Howard Publishing Co. , May 28, 2008. Frederickson, George M. (2003). Racism: A Short History. New Jersey, USA: Princeton University Press GAO (2012). Unemployed Older Workers: Many Experience Challenges Reaining Employment and Face Reduced Retirement Security. Report to the Chairman, Special Committee on Aging, U.S. Senate. United States Government Accountability Office. April 2012.