Sexism and Racism
Definitions:
Sexism:
Prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination, typically against women on the basis of sex. |
Racism:
The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. |
Sexism and Racism are two completely different things but people with these characteristics get discriminated against based on them. First, let's take a look at sexism. Some people won't be given a job soley based on their sex. Some people may not hire people based on their . This of course, is not right and can really effect a business negatively. Some women cannot find a job because they are female. Some people believe that women are not capable of doing things that are work related. They believe that women should stay at home and take care of the kids. However, this is not right. Women have just as many qualifications as men to do a job. It's not fair for a female to take 4 years of post secondary education and not be hired for a job that she studied for. Although you don't see many stories of this happening, it exists in the work place. However, some businesses might not hire men either. Neither situation is good. People should be looking for the necessary qualifications when hiring someone for a job rather than their sex. There is no such thing as a course that teaches you how to be a man so why should businesses look for these characteristics?
Racism is a big issue as well. Some people look for jobs their whole life because people won't hire them based on their religious beliefs. Others get fired if they wear any type of religious gear. The problem with some businesses is that people want their employees to all look the same and aren't accepting of their differences. Businesses fail to see that incorporating a variety of religions to a business can actually be a great advantage. Similar to multiculturalism, if a business accepts many different religions, the business could be very well known among a number of people. Events that celebrate different religions could greatly help a business with advertising and getting their business known. What doesn't make sense is that the target market for these businesses is people of all races, however they won't hire people of all races. It doesn't make sense to judge someone based on the color of their skin or what they wear. An example of this would be people of the Islamic faith. Women who wear the hijab spend half of their life trying to find a job. The issue here is that people won't hire them because of a religious symbol; covering the head. Some businesses require their workers to wear a hair net at work so that hair does not fall into their products. Wouldn't a business save money on head gear for it's employees if they hired some Muslim women? A hijab is not something dangerous and a business will not lose profit if they hire Muslim women. However, they may lose profit if they show discrimination. People cover their heads in the winter and in some business places. So why is it that women who do this for religious purposes have to face discrimination?
In summary, it is important to edcuate people on sexism and racism. If people were aware of the effects that racism and sexism has on peoples lives, people may see the light and not discriminate. It is also important to step into peoples shoes and understand what they are going through.
Racism is a big issue as well. Some people look for jobs their whole life because people won't hire them based on their religious beliefs. Others get fired if they wear any type of religious gear. The problem with some businesses is that people want their employees to all look the same and aren't accepting of their differences. Businesses fail to see that incorporating a variety of religions to a business can actually be a great advantage. Similar to multiculturalism, if a business accepts many different religions, the business could be very well known among a number of people. Events that celebrate different religions could greatly help a business with advertising and getting their business known. What doesn't make sense is that the target market for these businesses is people of all races, however they won't hire people of all races. It doesn't make sense to judge someone based on the color of their skin or what they wear. An example of this would be people of the Islamic faith. Women who wear the hijab spend half of their life trying to find a job. The issue here is that people won't hire them because of a religious symbol; covering the head. Some businesses require their workers to wear a hair net at work so that hair does not fall into their products. Wouldn't a business save money on head gear for it's employees if they hired some Muslim women? A hijab is not something dangerous and a business will not lose profit if they hire Muslim women. However, they may lose profit if they show discrimination. People cover their heads in the winter and in some business places. So why is it that women who do this for religious purposes have to face discrimination?
In summary, it is important to edcuate people on sexism and racism. If people were aware of the effects that racism and sexism has on peoples lives, people may see the light and not discriminate. It is also important to step into peoples shoes and understand what they are going through.