CONFRONT PREJUDICE
Prejudice is ugly. Myjellybean.com offers advice for challenging your own prejudices, and standing up for everyone's equal rights.
Nobody Is Born Prejudiced
As a baby, you were not born to dislike your community's minorities, be they African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Jews, Anglos, homosexuals, etc. Prejudice is something that innocent children are taught, usually by wrong-minded adults.
As you were growing up, you are taught ideas of what is "good" or "normal" by the people around you - such as parents, relatives and other kids. You might have noticed that your parents would not associate with certain racial groups, or you overheard friends telling demeaning jokes about "fags" or people of other ethnicities. Certain nasty words may have crept into your own vocabulary.
You also learned bias and bigotry by watching TV and going to the movies where ethnic and racial groups were often placed in stereotyped roles - for instance, the camera-happy Japanese tourist, the sex-object woman, or the untrustworthy Arab.
Prejudice Makes Everyone Suffer
Prejudice about race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and physical ability harms everyone. Okay, the damage to the victim is obvious. But YOU also suffer. If you are prejudiced, you will develop poor judgement, mistrust and guilt. You won't get to know some people for who they really are, so you'll lose the benefit of their teachings and experiences. Plus, in a global world, not being able to get along with certain groups is sure to hurt you in your future career.
How Do I Confront My Own Prejudices?
Most teens have given this matter at least some thought. At one time or another, you probably said to yourself, "How would I feel if this happened to me?" "What would I do if someone wanted nothing to do with me because of my religious or ethnic background?"
The next step is to get inside your heart and explore the impact of your prejudices. If you've been lucky enough to be in your community’s majority, you may have never given much thought to what it's like to be the target of unfair discrimination.
Practice Acceptance
Accept each person as unique and special. Let your friends know that you recognize and appreciate their individual qualities.
Put Yourself In Their Shoes
Become sensitive to other people's feelings. Learn the points of view of other people.
Commit To Unprejudiced Behavior
Understand that prejudice and discrimination are unfair. Make it a firm rule that no person should be excluded from your peer group on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, accent, gender, disability, sexual orientation or appearance.
Take Pride In Your Background
Take pride in your own cultural heritage and share it with your friends.
Talk About It With Friends
Remind your friends that what's important about a person is what's inside, not outside. Help them look beyond the surface in understanding others.
Don't Just Talk, Do Something
Take an active role in becoming an unprejudiced adult. Actions speak louder than words. Sometimes taking a stand means taking a risk, but this is one risk you should not ignore taking. By eliminating your prejudices, you will become a more respectful and responsible citizen. More important, you will give yourself the best chance for happiness and success in your own life.
Create Positive Change
Respond to prejudiced thinking or acts of discrimination when you observe them. Writing letters to a television producer who promotes stereotyped programming, speaking up when your parents make a racial comment, or confronting a peer's prejudiced opinions or actions, are all appropriate things to do.
Speak Out Against Prejudiced Language
Take action against prejudice and discrimination. For example, if a friend uses bigoted language, or makes a racial joke, you should not ignore it. A simple phrase will do: "Please don't talk that way around me." or "That kind of joke offends me."
Connect With New People And Experiences
Expose yourself to after-school activities that include a mix of individuals from various races, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds. Visit museums, festivals, ethnic restaurants and other places that expose yourself to different customs and lifestyles.