Our society has been created and structured with social inequalities of many kinds. The act of discrimination is one particular type where it is prominent in today’s modern society and historical times. Most individuals may not acknowledge the possibility that this type of act can occur everywhere and even in unexpected places such as at a workplace. Hence, the idea of employment discrimination is still very unfamiliar to people as most people tend to think about discrimination in terms of gender, race etc. This social phenomenon exists and is necessary to be aware of because of 1) the domination of one gender over another 2) this type of act is a violation of human rights and 3) people’s ignorance towards the subject matter. In other words,
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Furthermore, each and every human being should be given an equal opportunity to be employed and also receive equal treatment from others. However, there are ‘disciplinary practices’ that occurs in the workplace environment that inhibits people of certain type to retain their human rights (Canada Human Rights Commission, 2015). For instance, a South Asian woman can be treated unfairly due to her gender and cultural stereotypes that are formed and a man can be denied from employment due to his physical disability. In addition, harassment and denying services, goods and assistance to individuals are other ways in which people can be discriminated …show more content…
Many individuals tend to follow this motto and choose to ignore the question of discrimination. In reality, people acknowledge the existence of discrimination and the different types that are prominent in historical and contemporary societies, but yet majority of them will continue to ignore it. It is understandable that being ignorant can prevent individuals from solving challenges and facing the undeniable reality, but it will never resolve any issue or problems. This brings attention to the concept of Enlightenment in Immanuel Kant’s “What is Enlightenment?” (1784). As Kant defines it, enlightenment is “a man’s emergence from self-incurred immaturity” where immaturity is described as the “inability to use one’s own understanding without the guidance of another” (1784). He is attempting to persuade readers about how individuals can achieve enlightenment and the only thing that is needed is freedom. Similarly to employment discrimination, a possible method to eliminate the issue is enabling people to take initiative and to take action. Allowing people to do what is ‘right’, what is ‘fair’ and giving them the opportunity to take responsibility of their own thoughts and reasons is a step to achieving social autonomy. As Kant points out, a public or a society can only achieve enlightenment slowly, but there will always be a few others who tend to think of themselves and take action. In similar terms, we can draw upon historical examples from the early
Furthermore, each and every human being should be given an equal opportunity to be employed and also receive equal treatment from others. However, there are ‘disciplinary practices’ that occurs in the workplace environment that inhibits people of certain type to retain their human rights (Canada Human Rights Commission, 2015). For instance, a South Asian woman can be treated unfairly due to her gender and cultural stereotypes that are formed and a man can be denied from employment due to his physical disability. In addition, harassment and denying services, goods and assistance to individuals are other ways in which people can be discriminated …show more content…
Many individuals tend to follow this motto and choose to ignore the question of discrimination. In reality, people acknowledge the existence of discrimination and the different types that are prominent in historical and contemporary societies, but yet majority of them will continue to ignore it. It is understandable that being ignorant can prevent individuals from solving challenges and facing the undeniable reality, but it will never resolve any issue or problems. This brings attention to the concept of Enlightenment in Immanuel Kant’s “What is Enlightenment?” (1784). As Kant defines it, enlightenment is “a man’s emergence from self-incurred immaturity” where immaturity is described as the “inability to use one’s own understanding without the guidance of another” (1784). He is attempting to persuade readers about how individuals can achieve enlightenment and the only thing that is needed is freedom. Similarly to employment discrimination, a possible method to eliminate the issue is enabling people to take initiative and to take action. Allowing people to do what is ‘right’, what is ‘fair’ and giving them the opportunity to take responsibility of their own thoughts and reasons is a step to achieving social autonomy. As Kant points out, a public or a society can only achieve enlightenment slowly, but there will always be a few others who tend to think of themselves and take action. In similar terms, we can draw upon historical examples from the early