Here is the discussion.
- Have you ever been discriminated - age, gender, religion, ethnic?
- What should the U.S. do to eliminate discrimination?
- Are we doing enough?
- What is your opinion of the supreme court decison?
- Do you fear discrimination in your next 15 year future?
Supreme Court Decision
Interview with woman who originated lawsuit
Ted
ReplyDelete1. People make fun of how white I am all the time. It is hard to see these people at our school getting tan (and skin canser) while I am in fear to take off my shirt cause they will make fun of me. I am Jking (except about the skin canser)
2/3. I feel to eliminate discrimination is nearly impossible. I feel like we have made progress and are on the right track. Proof is that we have a black president.
4. I feel like the supreme court doesn't make bad decitions and therefor the supreme court made a good decition.
5. I think discrimination will occure in the next 15 years. I do not fear discrimination being worse though I beleive it will only lessen.
I feel that although sexisam, although it has decreesed in recent years is still prestent in the work place. It is large coorportions job to make sure sexisam does not insue by deeling with it at the regiounal leval. I also do not feel that walmart as a whole should be to blame but instead the induvidual people in the managor positions. It is difficult for large coorperations to deal with every thing that happens at every store. Because of this it is important that the law suit was made in order to quell disputes nation wide. I agree fully with the women who asked for equal rights and hope sinserly that the people contiously paying them less are questioned in regards of there moral character.
ReplyDeleteoops double "although"
ReplyDeleteBefore answering the questions I have to ask, am I the only one having a hard time empathizing with the plaintive? Mainly because of the number of people. I am amazed by the size of this suit and also a little worried. I have a hard time believing that anywhere from 500,000 to 1.6 million people (vagueness worries me as well) were all discriminated against just as badly as the woman who filed. I am sure the discrimination is valid and present, considering our pop culture; however, with so many people involved I have to wonder if some women are in it more 'for the money' than for the issue of discrimination.
ReplyDeleteAs for the questions,
1: well age, sure. We teenagers don't know anything. But then again, there are times when teenagers can really be idiots...
2: I am fairly inexperienced with discrimination being a white, male. But I do see a lot of pop culture portraying women as objects more than humans. This is a point of concern among many people, and it is easily changed with education. How you educate is another problem.
3: Again, very little knowledge. Off of what I know, yes. Many people want the gov. to help them sit around on their lazy butts all day. But I tend to see the abuse of the system more than the helpfulness.
Karl, I understand where you are coming from, but you also have to consider the sheer size of the backing. Sure, there will be some who are in it for the money, but many probably have had some degree of discrimination. As the origonal employee who is suing Walmart stated, she was afraid to come forward in fear of being fired. This must be the case. Although it's the the corporation's fault (although they should regulate better) it comes down to a more local level.
ReplyDelete1)I have been discriminated against, because of my age and inexperience.
2)Promote awareness and toleration. We have a good start, but this needs to continue. Also, for women (or minorities) to feel more comfortable about voicing their concerns.
3)No. If the Supreme Court can decide this case two days after the hearing, they did not give it even a thought to go with the women. It's saddening.
4)I see its nessecity for keeping a large employer going, but I also felt that they did not even consider the women's case. They saw the over all picture, without thinking of the possible consequences that it will have on equality.
5)Yes. Discrimination is everywhere today. You still hear black jokes or jokes about "women in the kitchen". Although harmless, there is deeper meaning. The media doesnt help either.
I. Have I felt discrimination? I have felt some age discrimination. Sometimes, being a teenager, many assumptions about me, what I know and how I act have been made. Most of which were false.
ReplyDeleteII. You can not eliminate discrimination. It will always be there. Your mind naturely starts taking in observations and judgements the second you see someone, and uses past knowledge or ideas to do so. All you can hope is to promote a world where people look past the initial judgements as they get to know someone.
III. Has the U.S. done enough? The government has done what it can. It has made all races and genders equal in the eyes of the government. All they can do know is enforce policy and hope people step above dscrimination.
IV. I fnd it surprising, that they did not rule in favor, if these women are being payed less for the same job, unless they determined the accusation to be false, or the case was so big that it complicated things.
V. I do not fear discrimination. Will Isee it? Undoubtably. Will someone discriminate against me? It is a possibility. However what can I do about it? Not much. Of all things I could do fear would be just wasted energy that doesn't help anyone. I can try to stop it when I see it and at least then my energy is headed in the positive direction. Fearing it is just ridiculous though.
1. I have only been discriminated through jokes. Catholic jokes, blonde jokes, etc. I usually laugh at them. Always blonde jokes and occasionally Catholic ones.. I take religion a little more seriously than hair color.
ReplyDelete2. All we can really do is raise awareness about discrimination and how it has really never done us any good. It only hurts people and causes problems.
3. I think we are stepping towards more tolerance but there will always be discrimination. There is always one mean person. People are starting to seem more accepting as time passes..
4. I believe that the supreme court is doing their best and is making good decisions.
5. I do not fear discrimination for my life. It seems that if you are surrounded by people that are similar to you and people that are accepting, there will generally be no discrimination, and those are typically the people I am with.
Well, obviously America isn't doing enough towards discrimination otherwise this case would have never been in the courts. But the feeling that, in this example, that women are being discriminated against isn't something that the nation can make disappear overnight, or even ever. People are always going to feel discriminated against, just as the are always going to feel jealous, taken advantage of, etc. As for the Supreme Court decision, I'm going to have to agree with it. Just imagine the amount of money it would take to compensate 1.6 million people with a problem that could easily be of there own making. Also, for unimportant and irrelevant reasons, come on people, you work at Wal-mart, of course you're going to be discriminated against, it's not exactely a 'wonderful' place to work.
ReplyDeleteWithin the next few to 15 years the majority of us will be moving off, finding careers, settling down, or not, and it will be no doubt that we will see some discrimination. Just like current times, we will be the underdogs, the ones that the rest of society won't yet appreciate, for lack of better term. So, sorry to say, but just like the women of Wal-Mart our generation will face discrimination but will be able to resolve it hopefully for posterity.
1) I haven't felt that much discrimination, except for maybe age. Many have the view that teenagers can't be trusted just because they are young (which is understandable), but not all teens are as stupid as the ones you see getting into all sorts of trouble on the media.
ReplyDelete2) I think the U.S. has come a long way in eliminating discrimination, but it will always be there. It's human nature to judge people based on first impressions.
3 and 4) More can always be done to try to stop discrimination. In this case for example, I found it kind of shocking to see that the supreme court seemed to have no problem with the discrimination. I understand the decision, because it is more of a local problem, and you can't group so many different cases together as one lawsuit. I do think more should be done at the local level in questioning the managers discriminating against women.
5) I don't fear discrimination, but I do hope our country will continue to move in a positive direction, and especially address the problems of discrimination against women in the workplace.
1. Discrimination seems abundant and all around us in everyday life. I have been discriminated for my age but there isn't much anyone can do about that. But the most discriminatory act against myself was very recent. In feeling out scholarships you can see a lot of discrimination based on gender and race. White males have close to no chance of getting a lot of scholarships.
ReplyDelete2/3. There is close to nothing the U.S. can do to completely eliminate discrimination. We can see as a nation that something have changed such as having an African American president and how people are willing to accept Indian American tribe but no matter how accepted people are there will still be discrimination. There are jokes to discriminated every race, gender, and age in america.
4. I think that the case is way to big for a group of people to just determine right or wrong. Either way that the case ends i would hope that anyone that was guily of committing discrimination (rather the case wins or loses) looks in the mirror and sees the error of their ways.
5. I fear that discrimination will still be a dominant force in society in the next 15 years. No matter what people try there is no way to completely eliminate all forms of discrimination.
Joshua Baumgart
1. Like all of us I have been discriminated against because of my age, but I can also say that I have probably discriminated against others because of their age sometime in my life. Discrimination occurs because of an intrinsic tendency we have to make an initial judgement on anyone we meet, until proved otherwise.
ReplyDelete2. The US is slowly but steadily decreasing discrimination. Though we still see and hear discrimanatory advertisements, jokes, etc., I believe they are becoming less and less offensive. If you look for discrimination, I'm sure you'll find it everywhere, but I think we have learned to find humor in it rather than take it seriously.
3. I think that we are doing enough as a nation by slowly getting rid of discrimination rather than bringing alot of attention to it and making a huge issue of it in our nation, which I think would only inhibit our growth away from discrimination.
4. I think the sumpreme court made the right decision bt taking Walmart's side. Just because there are more men in management positions across the corporation is not sufficient evidence for proving discrimination against women. There are many other factors that could influence the number such as population, ratios of men to women in specific areas, etc. Though the woman may have been discriminated against, I don't believe it should go against the entire corporation rather than her local management.
5. Personally, I don't fear discrimination in the next 15 years of my life, mostly because I enjoy proving people wrong. When discriminated against, I take it as a challenge and find a strong will to prove myself.
I. I think everyone has probably been discriminated against at one point of their lives. I also think that almost everyone has been guilty of discrimination at one point or another. Humans tend to judge others superficially until they find true facts that disprove their original viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteII. The media is a huge problem when it comes to discrimination. Movies, music videos, etc. often contain content that puts down people of different race, gender, or religion. It is very difficult to regulate material the movie or music industry. It is possible to censor things but that would be an infringement on freedom of speech.
III. I think we are doing as much as we can to stop discrimmination. All countries have problems with discrimmination not just the US. It is very hard to influence the way humans think especially when the majority of the population idolizes celebrities who do little to promote moral values.
IV. I think the Supreme Court came to the best decision that they could. It is very difficult to make a decision when there are so many factors involved.
V. Do I think discrimmination will occur in the next 15 years? Yes. Do I fear it? Definately not. It is up to you to decide what you think about yourself. In the long run it doesn't really matter what other people think about how you look or act as long as you are happy with the type of life you lead.
I have had my share of discrimination like most people in the world have. Because of my sex, and my racial characteristics people have made assumptions about both my character and my abilities. The United States has improved in this area dramatically over the course of history, though there is still and always will be discrimination present due to human nature. In order to help rid our country of such injustice, we should not accept it when our courts allow racial, sexual, or any other form of discrimination. The wal-mart supreme court decision was a horrible display of American values, and I disagree with it completely. For the U.S. supreme court to allow less pay for women just because they are female is outrageous and I am shocked that it happened to us in this day in age. As far as discrimination in the next 15 years, I do believe it will be there, but I don't believe it will get any worse than it is now. Despite several acts of discrimination by our government, we have been improving as a country throughout the course of history, and continue to improve today.
ReplyDelete1) Yes I have been discriminated against. I have been discriminated against because I am what they call a "meat head", but I am just like everyone else, with a brain and cerebrospinal fluid. All people think I care about are hitting people on the football field and my chizzled chest, but I assure you I care about world peace too.
ReplyDelete2) Discrimination is something that is never going to be completely solved. It is sad that it is part of human nature. It is slowly changing from the old discrimination(black)but is just moving to other races, elasticities, gender, sexual preference,ETC. The only way to stop discrimination is to stop that kind of judgmental thinking. However that line of thinking comes from the home.
3) I think that the Government is doing an alright job at eliminating discrimination. It has given the same rights to men, women, blacks, and whites. It however needs to do more and give the same rights to gays, and lesbians. Maybe also promoting against discrimination at an early age, like on kid shows.
4) I think the Supreme Court came to the best possible decision it could. It is a very difficult case with many factors involved. It wasn't enough evidence to punish the entire company for discrimination. I think in this case it was more of a local matter and their decision was best for this case.
5) I do not fear discrimination against myself in the next fifteen years because I am a white, male, who has going to go to college, and hopefully better our country. There will definitely been discrimination against some group as there always is but I do not fear it for myself.
I've been discriminated by age and nationality. The first probably made sense, the second was just dumb. Don't think I suffered much from it. I believe discrimination can be reduced by taking action from the bottom (i.e. educating the community) and from the top (equal rights, protection). I don't think it will ever be eliminated. It's in human nature to unite against something, which probably comes from the times it was the matter of survival. The only way I can see people on Earth united is in case of alien invasion :) Then we'll say something like "dirty aliens" and forget about race, sex and religion discrimination for a while.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the court's decision, because I think that lower wages for women is a stone age tradition. It might have been appropriate a hundred years ago, but now women as much and as good as men do, and can be primary suppliers for their families, so it would make sense to make wages equal.
I don't fear discrimination because it's just not something to fear, but I'm sure I'll run into it over the course of my life. By the way, Max, they say that 30 y.o. white educated males are going to be the most discriminated group pretty soon because of all the other groups fighting for their rights so violently, so beware :)
1) I've been discriminated because of my age, and because of my religious, or lack of, religious beliefs. The instant someone knows I'm a 17 year old high school student they make assumptions about my character and behaviors.
ReplyDelete2) The U.S. can eliminate discrimination through policies, but what isn't solved on paper needs to come through the mass media. Where are people getting their stereotypes from? The media. TV, ads, magazines, and the internet play a huge role in how others are treated.
3) The U.S. has made significant progress in eliminating discrimination (shown by the election of Obama), but I think we can do more. I think advertisers need to be held accountable for the messages they are spreading. We can eliminate discrimination through positive action. For ex: teenagers volunteering in their community is a way to give schools and youth more support, and a better image.
4) I am astounded that the court spent a mere two days on such a large case. These women are obviously getting the short end of the stick. How is two days enough time to cover the information and provide a fair conclusion? It's not. If the ruling were different, a huge step toward gender equality would've been made.
5) I don't consider myself a minority, so I have less anxiety of facing discrimination in my 15 year future, but I do worry about discrimination in the workforce. In this economy, veterans of various niches are being forced to accept entry-level positions, so I fear discrimination concerning my age and experience.
1) About everyone said age discrimination. Yep, me too. But, it really hasn't affected me much.
ReplyDeleteI also resemble several minority groups, just because of skin color. I really don't think I have been openly discriminated against, but others notice...
2) Eliminate discrimination? I doubt it. But, it can be reduced a lot. My little cousin watches "Ni Hao, Kai Lan". And Dora. This helps children to accept diversity from an early age. Plus, the world is becoming more and more integrated, so ethnic discrimination continues to lessen. Yet, age discrimination won't go away, because most people our age seem to fit the stereotype.
3) We need to do more to lessen discrimination. Simply put, we can't do too much.
4) Karl mentioned that vagueness worried him. It worries me, and I think that it worried the Supreme Court as well. The discrimination is definitely there. Yet, the size of the case makes it all too general. If one person wasn't discriminated against enough, does the entire suit fail? Also, how can Walmart have a chance of defending itself in any way? I'm not saying that it has a chance of defeating most of the claims. But, what if someone joins that hasn't been discriminated against? Can they knock one person out of a class action suit?
I definitely agree that this suit needs to be heard. Yet, couldn't they organize it better?
5) I really don't think that I need to fear discrimination. Will I be discriminated against? Maybe. I look like several varied minorities. I am young; I have acne. But, we all can overcome whatever gets thrown at us.
1.) I as Max feel as if I have been discriminated as a "meat head". Other than that I have never been discriminated to a point where I care or it matters.
ReplyDelete2 and 3.) Discrimination is just a basic part of human nature. When people feel insecure or unsure about themselves they tend to make an opposite sex, race, or sexuality feel they way they do, insecure. It's disappointing that humans act like this but it is human nature it's hard to control. The government has done a terrific job creating opportunities and jobs but when it comes down to it people will say and do what they want.
4.) The Supreme Court decision seemed like an obvious one. There was little to no evidence and with a decision like that it can't be made based on the accusations the provided. Way to many factors to actually make a different decision.
5.) I don't fear discrimination in the next 15 years. I might be discriminated its b ound to happen but am I afraid of it , no. Happens to everyone at some point in their lives.
Peter^
ReplyDelete1.I have been discrimantated against by my age and size. I dont know how many of you know what it is like to have 200 eyes staring at you like your some kind of diease(my cough). Everyone is discrimanted agaisnt in their life but its the size of people discrimation against you.
ReplyDelete2. I think the government is doing what it can except for Jugde Alito - It makes no sense to blame Wal-Mart for simply implementing the longstanding retail industry practice of paying women less than men, and promoting them less.”
3. I think each person has to decide are they doing enough but the most people think discrimation is rage gender religon and sexualiy but what about size and how a person looks. Mass media does not play a very good role.
4. As karl and peter. I worry that the supreme court was to quick to make a desicion. However i think it is a state court desicion.
5. I fear discrimantion probably more than most people beasuce i dont know what the future will hld with the people i encounter. WIll i be looked as to small to do a job or im to dieased to work? what is going to happen nobody will ever know.
Kirsten
1. I've been discriminated because of my age, nationality, and religion. Everyone all tends to judge other people by how they look and believe. Because of my look people have made assumptions about both my character and my abilities.
ReplyDelete2. Discrimination can never be eliminated. U.S. can only promote people to look past their first judgements as they learn to truly know others.
3. There is nothing we can do anymore on discrimination. Where ever we go, we will always encounter discrimination, not just in U.S. However, I think the U.S. is doing a good job of providing the same rights for the immigrants.
4. I believe the supreme court is doing their best. There is nothing they can do.
5. I think there are more things to worry about than discrimination in the world. It does not matter what others think of you. When life goes on, you will barely remember of what others said about your look, you might thank them for making you feel strong in the long term.
1. I have been discriminated against mostly because my ideas and values do not usually fit into the norm. I live my life with a lot of passion and do what my heart tells me. But because of that, many people do not understand me and therefore speak ill of me and my actions.
ReplyDelete2. The U.S. should never condone such actions because this is the "land of the free." Our government should always have an open mind and hear the reasoning behind people's actions before judging them.
3. I guess WalMart isn't. But they have a world of other problems.
4. Hasty decision, S.P. I'm sure they'll be hearing about it for a while. They need to take time to decide and make the best decision possible.
5. I do not fear for myself. I fear for those who do not have the strength to speak out for themselves.
1. I most definitely been discriminated before. Most commonly because of my age. Old people generally look down on the younger population, I have been guilty of this myself.
ReplyDelete2. All we can really do is raise awareness of the constant discrimination and hope that it'll decrease.
3. Obviously not.
4. I think the Supreme Court came to the best decision that they could. But I did find it surprising that they did not rule in the women's favor
5. I do not fear discrimination in the next 15 years because I believe that progress will be made.
Yes I have felt discriminated against. I have experienced the playful way of discrimination, the frustrating ways, and the hurtful ways. It is a natural instinct of status that I admit to have taken part in myself. I don't think there is a way to eliminate discrimination because that would involve trying to manipulate and control thoughts. Whatever the US is doing is not enough for equal rights but it should be talked about in words of equality, not discrimination. I don't fear discrimination because even though it will be around, it will give everyone something to fight for and give us a reason to live life with some passion and opinion.
ReplyDelete1.) Yes, I have been discriminated against before. I have been discriminated against because of my age, as everyone else has, but also my sexuality.
ReplyDelete2.) I don not know if there is anything that the US government can do to stop discrimination. I think a good place to start, if there is one, would be the schools. Education about acceptance and tolerance is a great thing.
3.) No. I do not think that we are. From the stand point of a young gay man, I do not think so. I hear nothing in any of my classes about the gay culture, or gay leaders, or the history of the gay rights movement. I think that we could definitely do more to help end discrimination.
4.) I dont think the supreme court could have done anything differently.
5.) Yes. I do. I think things are changing, but I am not sure if they are changing that quickly.
-Luke K.