Discrimination refers to treating a person or particular group of people differently, usually in an unfair and unequal treatment, because of their skin color, gender, race, religion, or ethnicity. Discrimination means to single out or make a distinction against a particular race or ethnic group. Although there are many laws against discrimination in the workplace, unfortunately, economic discrimination is still prevalent. (Scott, 2012)
Economic discrimination is defined as long-lasting inequality in economic well-being among individuals based on their color, gender, or ethnicity (Cain, 2020). It also refers to when pay and wages are not equal between employees, despite the productivity level of the employees being the same. A black worker whose skills, experience, and work hours are the same as those of white workers, but receives a lower wage is a victim of economic discrimination. The same is true for a Hispanic or Jewish person who is denied a job solely based on their religion or ethnicity. Other examples of economic discrimination are when women are only given low-ranking jobs, minority groups are given low-paying jobs, and white people are given higher-paying jobs. (Pettinger, 2017)
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We live in an evolving society where discrimination is increasingly not tolerated. There are many laws against discrimination. However, discrimination still exists, particularly in the workplace. Everyone should have equal work opportunities, and wages should be given according to experience and skill sets. I would like to teach others about the problem of economic discrimination. Economic discrimination should be something that, as a society, we can change without having any laws put in place. One thing that is vital to our society is equality.
I grew up in South Africa, where the majority of the population suffers from poverty. A lot of the countries' issues are a result of years of racial discrimination. With the current COVID-19 pandemic going on, it occurred to me how underprivileged people are a much more significant threat. After reading the study by Simone Schnall, Coronavirus: A View from Behavioral Science, it occurred to me how different people are affected by this pandemic based on their race and ethnicity. In particular, with entire cities and states being under quarantine, job and financial security is something that is of great concern.
I, therefore, conducted an activity to teach others and to raise awareness of social and economic discrimination. I used the current COVID-19 pandemic in my activity to highlight how even a virus that should equally be affecting people is a more significant concern for those of different races and ethnic backgrounds. I wanted to show others how this pandemic is affecting others differently, simply based on their race, birth origin, and privilege level. I started by recruiting 15 individuals, who would participate in my activity. Participants were of different ethnic and racial groups, both male and female (Hispanics, Jews, Whites, and African Americans). Due to the current social gathering restrictions, I created a virtual activity, through a Whatsapp group. The virtual group allowed me to reach a broader range of people, from different countries and get their perspectives.
We played a game where everyone would record their feelings and opinions based on their response to questions about how the current epidemic is affecting them, particularly regarding discrimination in the workplace, as well as various questions about their economic status. I aimed to highlight discrimination in the workplace, which is particularly evident now when people's income is at risk. In the end, participants each shared their responses with the group. They compared how they are treated in the work field.
Questions that were asked included:
- On a scale of 1 - 10, please rate your anxiety level in regards to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
- What are some of your worries and concerns regarding COVID-19?
- Are you currently working from home for your job?
- Do you currently have enough savings to cover your expenses for two weeks?
- Do you feel secure that you will still have a job once this pandemic comes to an end?
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- Below $20,000
- Between $20,000 - $30,000
- Between $30,000 - $50,000
- Between $50,000 - $75,000
- Above $75,000Which yearly income bracket do you fall into,
- How did you get your job? Was it a hard process?
- Are you following the career of your dreams?
Once everyone shared their answers, it revealed a lot of essential factors. People from minority groups ranked their anxiety levels in regard to COVID-19 significantly higher. While people are recommended (or obliged) to stay home, for low-income people, this is not an option they can afford. Most of the white people partaking in the activity felt at ease about their jobs and expressed that they had the option to work from home or receive paid leave. However, many of the black and Hispanic people get paid hourly, and their work can not be done remotely. They also made the bare minimum to pay their expenses and did not have savings to support them during the unpaid work time, in comparison to the white participants who all had some type of savings set aside. The lower-income participants also felt more afraid about contracting the virus, as they could not afford proper medical insurance. They are, therefore, afraid they will not receive the adequate health care needed. COV-19 has not caused these issues; however, it highlights the deficits in the economic system.
It is essential to note which of the participants in the activity reported as low income, as the responses indicated further economic discrimination. Most women's yearly income was less, even though they shared the same jobs as men. It also showed that Hispanic and Black people had lower-paying jobs. This proved my point of discrimination in the work field. What was particularly impressive during my activity was that people were not aware that they were making less money than others, because as a result of the discrimination against them, their expectations of themselves were already low. The women did not think they were getting underpaid until they heard that men in the same field were making more than them. Also, the Hispanics were not aware that their job were less prestigious, such as cleaners, and construction workers, as these were the jobs they expected for themselves.
Reflection:
This course taught me a lot on the subject of racism and discrimination. I have always been aware that racism existed. Growing up as a Jew, I have experienced prejudice against me as a result of my religion. I also grew up in a post Apartheid country of South Africa, where racism is still very much ingrained in people. However, through this course content, and the research we did for our papers, I feel that I understand how prevalent discrimination is, still today. It made me realize how people's privilege is dependent so heavily on their race and background. People who are living in poverty are very often a result of not being able to get prestigious or high-paying jobs based on their status.
I agree with the content of this course. Throughout the course, I felt I learned so much about white privilege and discrimination. I realized I took much of what I had available to me for granted. It was the first time I questioned my advantage and realized my privilege as a result of being a white individual. I feel like I have a deeper understanding of the complex social problems in our society, as well as realistic ideas of how to change this and try to create an equal society with equal opportunity.
I enjoyed the weekly videos summarising the content. The videos were informative, and the cartoons and memes made the lessons feel particularly relatable. This course was very thought-provoking and made me think a lot about the way I think of others and the prejudice I even subconsciously have. I hope to keep the lessons I learned in mind, and I will make a more substantial effort to work on treating everyone equally and standing up for the rights of those who are mistreated.
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