Discrimination and Ethnicity in USA
Question 1: What contributes to the changing image of diversity in the United States?
A change in the image of diversity in the United States is exhibited by the fact that today; experiences such as social disadvantage are not limited to groups defined by religion, gender, ethnicity, as well as race (Schaefer 392). A major factor that has contributed to the change in the image of diversity in the US is the present medical and financial situation. The situation has led to the US population despising the older adults and people with disabilities, and this is owed to the fact that they are seen as bothersome when it comes to improving the medical and financial situation in the country. Acts passed such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have also contributed significantly to the changing image of diversity in the United States.
Question 2: In what ways are the aged, people with disabilities, and gays and lesbians stereotyped.
The situation for the aged, people with disabilities, as well as gays and lesbians in the US is worrisome. The stereotypic view towards the aged is exhibited in the manner in which they experience unequal treatment and discrimination in employment sectors. A common term used to refer to the prejudice and discrimination against the aged is ageism. People often see the aged as people who symbolize disease and death. They are also seen as unproductive and incompetent. Just like the aged, people with disabilities in the US have found it hard to live in the society. For a long time, people have viewed them as incapable of doing various activities. The society has also limited the chances of people with disabilities especially in the employment sectors. Arguably, the society views people with disabilities only as blind, deaf, wheelchair users, and so forth, rather than viewing them as complex human beings who possess strengths and weaknesses (Schaefer 399). On the other hand, the stereotypic view that the society has on gays and lesbians cannot be ignored. In the US, they are seen as misplaced members of the society hence, are denied access to job opportunities. For instance in the US, the Army hired psychiatrists to screen recruits for evidence of homosexuality and also dismissed gay volunteers. The police also raided bars that were frequented by individuals looking for same-sex partners and jailed the victims.
Question 3: What are common and differing aspects of the effort to mobilize older adults, people with disabilities, and gay men and lesbians to achieve equality?
The common aspect of achieving equality for older adults, people with disabilities, as well as gay men and lesbians, is giving them equal opportunities like other people in the employment sector. However, there are other differing ways of achieving equality for each of the three groups of people. The formation of political organizations and advocacy groups such as the Older Women’s League (OWL) in the US has ensured equality for older adults (Schaefer 397). For disabled persons, the enforcement of acts such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the formation of strong social movements that push for disability rights have enhanced the achievement of equality. On the other hand, the formation of homosexual organizations has ensured that equality for gay men and gay ladies is achieved.
Question 4: What has been the role of the federal government in the effort to achieve equality by the aged, people with disabilities, and gay and lesbian community?
The federal government has been in the forefront in implementing acts that aim at ensuring equality is achieved for the three groups. In 1968, the federal government implemented the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which was aimed at protecting workers 40 years of age or older from being fired because of their age and replaced by younger workers (Schaefer 396). The federal government has also enforced the Americans with Disabilities Act that has to eradicate discrimination of disabled persons. Moreover, the federal government through the Supreme Court has enforced laws that ensure that the rights of gays and lesbians in the US are protected.
Question 5: What does it mean to overcome ‘exclusion’?
Groups such as the aged, people with disabilities, as well as gays and lesbians are always at a social disadvantage (Schaefer 392). Overcoming ‘exclusion’ means coming up with strategies to ensure that the social disadvantages experienced by the mentioned groups are kept at bay. In overcoming ‘exclusion,’ the federal government has enforced acts such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which has protected the rights of disabled persons.
Reference
Schaefer, Richard T. Race and Ethnicity in the United States. Boston: Pearson Education, 2013. Print.