The Changing Faces of Discrimination

Discrimination throughout the ages has been in constant flux. Today's face of discrimination is not the same as yesterday's, but the root cause remains the same. Racial discrimination, for instance, is most commonly seen as a color issue, most notably the black versus white problems post slavery that led to such famous and infamous historical events such as King's march on Selma, the Rosa Parks back of the bus spark and the acquittal of the murder's of Emmett Louis Till. But less known historical discriminations based on race are those of Native Americans in early America, Kurds in Greece and Iraq, Turks during the Crusades and Senegalese in Russia.

Other discriminations have taken place throughout history and throughout the world. Even societies not considered civilized, such as the Mayan dominance and massacres of other local tribes, was discrimination. Anything that separates one group (usually in control) against another will result in discriminations. Discriminations based on sex, religion, culture, color, disabilities, intelligence and morals have been the cause of suppressions of large numbers of people.

Despite the best efforts of people of good intent, discrimination never truly goes away, it just changes the faces of those discriminated against. As one group of oppressed either rises up or has someone rise up for them and works to stop the discriminatory practices, another takes its place.

Today, the new face of those being attacked and discriminated against is not what most would expect to see. Those of differing political opinion are being targeted and oppressed. In a country where freedom of speech, expression and ideas is the cornerstone, it is unbelievable that such discrimination could take place. And there are those who would even deny it is taking place. but one needs only look at the focus of rhetoric from all corners of American society to see that it is true.

The media has labeled dissenters, almost as a single entity (with the exception of FOX, talk radio and alternative media), as being less intelligent, highly disturbed and somehow less American for publicly sharing their discontent. The body politic has dismissed, diminished and discarded any dissenting opinion and those who voice it. Even within their own ranks. The public is being led to vent open anger and dislike and hatred of these people who speak their mind in opposition of the "ruling group" in charge f the government. Anti-government sentiment, TEA party movements and public outcry at radical alterations to the fabric of American society is being met with scorn, media exaggeration and even legislation. Conservatism in a liberal society, calls of individual responsibility in the face of programs of social welfare, and voices of opposition in the sphere of hope and change are the new faces of discrimination. Even the cloaking of this group of dissenters in racism, which does not bear out in the light of truth, is a red herring to avoid seeing the reality of what is being done by those who are doing it.

But even these discriminatory practices will be fleeting. As the balance of power shifts over the coming years, as those in favor - or at least in control - loss their influence, as the voicers of dissension are either silenced or vindicated, a new face will rise up to be the target of scorn and derision. Perhaps it will be the elderly, who will soon make up a larger than acceptable portion of the population but will not have the power needed to oppose their oppressors. Perhaps it will be some non-human sentience that will come under fire, maybe robots or machines that think. Far-fetched, but it is difficult to predict who will come under the ire of either the majority or the ruling classes.

By no means should discrimination be encouraged, nor should it be tolerated by those oppressed or those witnessing it. But it is folly and a dream to believe that discrimination itself can be wiped out through legislation or violence. Only the individual embodiments of this innately human condition can be addressed when and where they flower.