what is discrimination?

In human social affairs, discrimination is treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction

in favor of or against, a person based on the group, class, or category to which the person is perceived to
belong rather than on individual attributes. This includes treatment of an individual or group, based on
their actual or perceived membership in a certain group or social category, "in a way that is worse than
the way people are usually treated". It involves the group's initial reaction or interaction going on to
influence the individual's actual behaviour towards the group leader or the group, restricting members
of one group from opportunities or privileges that are available to another group, leading to
the exclusion of the individual or entities based on logical or irrational decision making.
Discriminatory traditions, policies, ideas, practices, and laws exist in many countries
and institutions in every part of the world, even in ones where discrimination is generally looked down
upon. In some places, controversial attempts such as quotas have been used to benefit those believed
to be current or past victims of discriminationbut have sometimes been called reverse discrimination.
In the US, a government policy known as affirmative action was instituted to encourage employers and
universities to seek out and accept groups such as African Americans and women, who have been
subject to discrimination for a long time.

Types of discrimination

Age

Disability

Equal Pay/Compensation

Genetic Information

Harassment

National Origin

Pregnancy

Race/Color

Religion

Retaliation

Sex

Sexual Harassment
 How to defense discrimination

Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me.
How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me. ~ Zora Neale Hurston

Everyone gets a taste of discrimination. It's the first bowl passed around at the table of the American
Socio-Cultural experience. You can thank the chef, White Privilege for that, send a nod to Patriarchy as
well if you're a woman. The first taste is bitter, it's supposed to be. Don't let it sway you.

See this isn't about being a victim, which you will hear over and over again if you choose to comment on
the taste. The way the systems and structures have evolved make it necessary for some to get a larger
portion than others. I was born Black and a woman, I get a double serving.

Right after the discrimination is served, the next dish is the word "victim". You don't have to take any.
Victim is usually served as a way to silence you. Some will try to shove that in your mouth as a way deny
or dismiss what you experienced. As if what you've seen or heard said has no mental, emotional or
physical effect on you. Please pass on this dish. Silence is not golden. Your mental, emotional and
physical health is all you have. Speak up, let go, move on.

The best defense is authenticity. You get to say that you see it, that you experience it, you get to name
who and what it is. Being silent about discrimination is being complicit.

Inquire, argue dispassionately. Know that most who discriminate have taken extra helpings of bigotry
and stereotypes. They feast on ignorance and eschew any dish that challenges their worldviews or
privilege, as if they'd starve if it wasn't part of the menu.

Live your life wholly, authentically, challenge when it is necessary to your mental, physical or emotional
life. Invite allies to the table. Demand more social justice, equality, and non-judgment be served. We'll
all be healthier if we took more time to watch what we eat.