These days we are reading some articles on discrimination, saw a relevant movie (actually half of it), and watched related TV programs in Core 108 class. However, in my view, those materials are too "politically correct". In fact, most people personally experience conscious or unconscious discrimination at some point in their lives, while they also discriminate, consciously or unconsciously, against others. In my opinion, some forms of discrimination lie in human nature, and are required by modern life. All we should do and can do is to try to be free from some bad forms of discrimination.

What is discrimination? Discrimination is different treatment or consideration based on class or category, in most cases, stereotyping, rather than individual merit. Unfortunately, all people tend to treat others differently. They are nice to those of "us", and are alert to those of "them", just as a young baby is happy to see the familiar and fears strangers. Thus, discrimination lies in human nature. However, some open-minded people regard most people as "us", while some narrow-minded people only think their own hamlet, race, nation, etc as "us". In addition, in modern society, one often has to make a decision based on incomplete information. It is reasonable to depend on the category, because considering all an individual merit is too time-consuming. That is why all bosses prefer those graduated from distinguished universities, among all graduates.

Although I think it is unnecessary and impossible to be free from all discrimination, I am still against some bad kinds of discrimination, those based on prejudice and totally false stereotyping. The key issue is not discrimination. Instead, the key issue is to change all outdated stereotyping, especially those about sex, race, and region. What is more, one should not exaggerate the discrimination problem in daily life. It is natural for a person to prefer some people and dislike others, as long as he or she does not bother other people.

I guess my personal thoughts on discrimination are unconventional. In fact, I have not been troubled by the discrimination here. Otherwise, I might hold a different opinion. 

Core 108 Instructor's Remarks: I agree that by your broad definition, “discrimination” is part of human nature. However, in the U. S. the word means what you call “outdated stereotyping” and treating people unfairly based on those stereotyping. In that regard, laws against discrimination are important, I think, and people can change somewhat, as we’ve seen with black and white in the U. S.