by Elizabeth M Young

Created on: August 05, 2010   Last Updated: August 17, 2010

Prejudice is a basic human behavior. Like all basic human behaviors, responding to it depends on the individuals involved, the context and the actual expression or dialogue about prejudice. In other words, this is not an issue that has a "one size fits all" solution or response.

If the person who is emitting prejudicial statements is a child, for example, then the ways in which we teach that child right from wrong apply. There are some prejudices that must be taught for the safety and well being of the child. Not talking to strangers, refusing to eat food that they are allergic to, being able to make their own decisions and choosing their friends wisely are issues where some amount of prejudgment and prejudicial thinking is a fact of survival. In these cases, the little ones minds are not fully baked yet, and they need their rules in large blocks of simple instructions.

But when the child expresses prejudice that demonstrates hatred or bigotry toward others, then more people than the child are at fault. Children who express the regular and constant attitudes of their parents or care giver's attitudes will easily be hurt and confused when chastised while the offending role model stands there and takes no responsibility for the gaffe. This means dealing with the parents or caregivers if that is even possible.

Prejudice might be against an age group, class or educational and professional level. Why professionals should be let off the hook for intellectual rudeness and bigotry any more than a blue collar worker should be let off the hook for generalizing bad things to all college graduates is a mystery that will never be solved in the real world.

Anyone can stand up to unfair and prejudical comments that are used to attack an entire group or to shut down disagreement. It is easy to require more intelligent, logical and well supported discussion. This does require avoiding insults, anger and attack. Then, if a brawl is going to happen, it is best to not become one of the brawlers.

The views of the online or real world group or forum are critical when responding to prejudiced behavior or statements. It is no longer possible to expect a mannered, elegant debate everywhere these days. Polarization has caused a situation where people simply join and discuss in forums where the majority of the group is of a like mind. In other words, it is easy for a fight to start when a person with a greatly different

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