Intelligence and Prejudice
Ranked #13,529 in Culture & Society, #272,906 overall
An acceptable prejudice that society still holds?
Did you know that discrimination on the basis of pregnancy has also been classified under sex discrimination? And landmark decisions made in 1995, 1998, 1999, and 2000 led provincial courts to determine that laws against same-sex marriage were unconstitutional.
In 2003 (Halpern V. Canada (Attorney General), the court of Appeal for Ontario used section 15 to legalize same-sex marriage in Ontario. Nationwide legalization finally was reached on July 20th, 2005 - prior to that, only Alberta, Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories fell short of legally recognizing same-sex marriages. All other provinces followed suit shortly after Ontario, where the decision to legally recognize the marriage that took place in Toronto, Ontario on January 14th, 2001 made Canada the first country in the world to have a same-sex marriage.
All persons have a right to equality, benefit and protection under the law. Since not all forms of discrimination can be listed, it is recognized as happening when the burden or denial of benefit harms an individual's human dignity (Law V. Canada). That is, if the discrimination marginalizes, ignores or devalues an individual's sense of self-respect and self-worth, then it is considered unconstitutional under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms (part of the Constitution Act 1982).
But what is it that makes it perfectly okay to discriminate on the basis of whether a person is "smart" or not? I understand that some jobs require more mental ability than others. However, there is an undue amount of privilege and abuse of power given to those deem as scholars or who hold titles such as: coach, teacher, doctor, officer, priest, or ? Did you know some of the latest findings suggest that teachers may be your child's worse bully? Doctors and police officers top the list of spousal abusers? And, I know we've all heard plenty about the abuse of power and harm caused by some members of the clergy and even coaches of youth sports.
Intro photo source: cesarastudillo on flickr see here. Attributions are shown when you scroll over each photo. Some photos are those of products I feature from Amazon.com.
This was created on November 21st, 2010. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010 sousababy
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"When a child looks at a new species for the first time s/he asks - what is it? Man asks, what is it good for?"
I don't want to be an alarmist here, but . . .
NO ONE is above the law (whether you hold a PhD, gun or a cross)
People with, well, big titles, tend to make more decisions in society and they also tend to make more money than the rest of us. Apparently too, is the unspoken belief that "If you hold the purse strings, you can do as you please." It's another "they" saying I dislike; the whole, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you." But what if that hand (and mouth) is also abusing you (physically, mentally or emotionally)?
Yeah, indeed, what if? It absolutely does matter - the manner in which you obtained your apparent "worldly" success. You can't take it with you, so why not make your money in a manner that benefits society and your children, rather that just be a "taker" in life. When did we all lose sight of the big picture? Wait, not all...for sure they are really decent and ethical employers in this world. But I am surprised at what people with impressive titles are able to get away with. Isn't it odd that no one seems to be held accountable either? How is it that we can't figure out who was to blame for the economic crisis that, thankfully, the U.S. is slowly recovering from.
I am often convinced that whenever you only think about yourself and exclude others, destructive things happen. Inclusion of everyone in your grand plan (whether it be a family, a business, a profession) is crucial to succeeding. Once segregation (in any form) starts to occur and people are left "out of the loop," your house of cards will eventually crumble.
Anton Chekhov quote:
"In nature a repulsive caterpillar turns into a lovely butterfly. But with human beings it is the other way around: a lovely butterfly turns into a repulsive caterpillar." ~ Anton Chekhov
(1860 - 1904) died at the age of 44 from tuberculosis, he was a Russian physician, short story writer and playwright (also an early advocate for women's rights).
And if it is not for money . . .
is it a selfish need to overpower or control another human being?
We even sometimes dress our children in school uniforms, which (kids even concede) gives everyone a sense of equality. No longer are the designer jeans so important. Maybe, we adults need to all be dressed up in a human being suit (like everyone is "in the future", in those science fiction shows).
So when did we adults decide to become doctors, lawyers, employers, supervisors, politicians, religious leaders, coaches and lose sight of our membership in the human race? When did "what we do for a living" give us some license to "overpower" or "control" other fellow human beings?
I have witnessed this quite a bit in the healthcare field where "if doctor so-and-so" did/said something abusive or wanted something (that others wouldn't dare ask for), it was silently accepted to be okay...since s/he was "smart" ergo "more deserving than the rest of us."
Fred Allen quotes:
"If I could get my membership fee back, I'd resign from the human race."
"I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me."
Fred Allen (1894 - 1956) American comedian on radio/TV
Look around you now
putting yourself in other people's shoes . . .
Do you perceive any inequality in the environment(s) around you?
Yes, this is what seems unfair - in my world:
NaturalVamp says:
of course dahling.I will expound in your guestbook because this little box is too small for my gift of gab.
Sidther says:
Yes, because I have difficulty expressing my thoughts verbally and have virtually no ability to use body language I am constantly being spoken down to- especially by medical providers that we are new to (we move a lot). Apparently my eyes also "give me that look" . I do have a high IQ, not that it matters, but to be spoken to as a child constantly is very offensive. I do not have a great EQ, but as long as I have one or the other! I had one provider strongly encourage me to read some info on ASD so that I would 'have a better understanding of what I'm dealing with'- the author of this article 'really has a handle on ASD, and solid scientific understanding'... it was hysterical when she handed me a printout of my OWN article.
I hate that I must prove my intellect at every turn- even when shopping people treat me as if I am a lost puppy. This is why I love Squidoo- people are encouraging and I am able to express my thoughts a bit better- no one here has ever tried to make me feel stupid, even when I write something that is!
ChrisDay says:
The 'closed shop' in its many and diverse forms and the 'guru' myth in all sorts of walks of life, that make out only the 'cognoscenti' have the truth. These are both extremely exclusive and therefore actively maintain inequalities.
Margo_Arrowsmith says:
It seems that the people who work the hardest get paid the least
sousababy says:
Since up to 80% of communication is non-verbal, I think there are silently accepted "norms" in society that are grossly unfair. Especially when it comes to women and children. It is STILL expected (by other women too) that a woman must do 75% of the childrearing and housework - and now, hold down a full-time job outside of the home too. Women feel like they work 2 full-time jobs once they have children. There is just not enough societal support from other women, employers and others to keep this pace up.
No, I think life is pretty fair, here's why:
gypsyman27 says:
I have dealt with inequality my entire life, in my case it is related to my race. I know that a lot of people will disagree with that statement and say things like, "you get special treatment because of your race". That statement in and of itself is racist. See you around the galaxy...
reasonablerobinson says:
I work in an academic environment and it is generally benign. Very different from commercial environments I have worked in.
sousababy says:
Fantastic, glad to hear that a woman feels life IS pretty fair, certainly gives me hope. I may just re-do my subtitle, An acceptable prejudice that society still holds...and put a question mark on that statement. Thank you so much, Rose
Jewelsofawe says:
Well, sousababy, what you mention in your comment here is unfair, so I say don't do it... that is my new take on those sorts of things.
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People with a good heart . . .
do more good in this world than "smart" people
Compassion will always triumph over judgement.
If you extend some good outward, it will come back to you many times over...I finally "get it." And thank god, I really don't want to be a "taker."
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in children, families, communities, professionals and corporations . . .
Many people are discriminated against . . .
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I love to know who dropped by for a visit . . .
(as always, feel free to leave a comment or suggestion too):
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gypsyman27
Dec 16, 2011 @ 7:35 pm | delete
- Hello Rose, this is another well written piece about a thought provoking subject. I don't like to see any kind of discrimination, above and beyond race. I have gay friends that still have to hear terrible words describing them from supposedly enlightened people. There are still people that spew racist propaganda at every chance. People are the same, differences they were born with notwithstanding. The US is still a very bigoted country and we need to work on that problem. Only then will we have the right to think of ourselves as good human beings. I've rambled on enough now, bringing me to the bias against age.:~) I hope you are well Rose and happy and enjoying this holiday season. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. I know you'll have plenty of moments that will be memorable with a daughter that is the perfect age for celebrating Christmas. I miss my children being young and wide eyed with wonder regarding this holiday. They were a lot of fun in those days. Well they are a different kind of fun now, and there are grandchildren. Wishing you love and ultimate happiness Rose. See you around the galaxy...
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NaturalVamp
Oct 14, 2011 @ 2:04 am | delete
- I'd like to say my piece about intelligence and prejudice if I may dahling. Yes, I have a, I won't say who -cough-brother-cough- who is a member of mensa, yet he is an a-hole, if you forgive the pun. On the other hand, I have a friend who is not considered as sharp as a tack in most circles but she is loved by all because of her kindness and personality. Which then, is more intelligent? It is very disturbing to me that the one with the most "intelligence" is usually the one with the most money - thus more people wishing to become like them. But what if money was not a factor. IMHO there would be no prejudice in that regard. I apologize for rambling on dahling. It was such an interesting topic.
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reasonablerobinson
Aug 13, 2011 @ 2:30 pm | delete
- Psychologists of persuasion and influence suggest that intelligent people can be quite fixed in their views and develop sophisticated counter arguments to defend their positions. Consequently some smart people become locked in prejudicial mindsets and treat their knowledge as certain and infallible. Key indicators of prejudice.
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MaxReily
Aug 6, 2011 @ 7:26 pm | delete
- I have several gay friends and acquaintances and don't see how they can continue to be denied the rights other Americans take for granted. I didn't realize that Canada had legalized same-sex marriage until I read this lens. We're (the U.S.) so far behind other countries in this respect. Discrimination against the obese is a serious problem as well. Overweight people seem to be almost the last group that it's still acceptable to publicly ridicule and embarrass. Wonderful and very thought-provoking lens.
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ChrisDay
Jun 6, 2011 @ 11:04 pm | delete
- In some twisted way, I believe that people who demean others do so as a way to elevate themselves. They appear to be unable to shine by excelling, they have to push others down. Then, of course, there's the prejudice of fear: What we don't talk to, we don't understand. What we don't understand, we fear. What we fear, we destroy. (I believe this was an Aboriginal proverb).
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SereneSea Feb 2, 2011 @ 11:43 am | delete
- This is all about treating people equal; recently I came across an article that is about life in an island where everyone is paid the same for any work regardless of your profession according to the payments of per hour rate. There is no crime in this location and people have enough to eat not that they are millionaires. While I do not support of the theory of paying a musician, a physician, a computer geek or an artist alike - I liked the concept of people staying in a stress free atmosphere devoid of crime.
Coming back to this lens, you work is closer to any humanitarian activist and the message is clear and obvious.
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poutine
Jan 5, 2011 @ 6:56 am | delete
- added to the following lenses:
http://www.squidoo.com/areyouathrillionaire
http://www.squidoo.com/favoritequotes
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ChrisDay
Jan 4, 2011 @ 11:45 pm | delete
- I always feel that what we all need to do is to have respect. This covers animals, individuals, groups, nationalities, religions etc. From respect come good manners.
It may even be that we need to make efforts to understand others, too - if we do not understand something, we fear it, what man fears he destroys.
There is a quote: "What we don’t talk to, we don’t understand. What we don’t understand, we fear. What we fear, we destroy." This appears to stem from a primeval instinct in man to protect the immediate group and to reject anything from outside, that may pose a territorial or competitive threat. If we wish to hold ourselves up as 'cultured' or 'civilised', we need to control such responses.
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sousababy
Jan 5, 2011 @ 12:08 am | delete
- Yes, very much agree with what you wrote here and such fabulous quotes. Reminds me of social psychology class (re: Why the Bad in Society seem to be Winning lens) when I asked, "Why then, do groups of people hate other human beings - people they have never even met?" (Sadly, also evident in my recent Squidoo bullying incident). Thank you for stating the obvious, "We need to control such responses." Key point, all we need to do is have respect (animals, individuals, religions, etc). Beautifully put Dr. Day. Fondly, Rose
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