No matter how you cut it, we all suffer from some degree of prejudice & discrimination. It isn’t all about being racial. Maybe you don’t like people who are fat, ugly, bald or redneck…it can still be a form of prejudice.

I know some people who look at overweight individuals with disgust and view them as “fat slobs” regardless of what kind of person they may be. Someone may be overweight due to a medical problem or genetic reasons… and may be a wonderful intelligent human being, but will still be viewed negatively by some.

Scientific studies prove that employers are more apt to hire a good-looking person over an ugly duckling and better-looking people get promoted quicker. There are even studies that show ugly people are more likely to get found guilty of a crime than the good looking or beautiful are.

Seniors are less likely to get hired for a job and not just because of age, but because they are many times judged as less competent, uncoordinated and mentally weaker. There was even a study that proved that children in school with a name like Icabod or Maude were less likely to get as good of a grade as a child named Johnny or Susan.

Crippled up folks are often pre-judged and looked down on by some. I know a guy who is in a wheel chair and when he was introduced to a friend, the friend began talking to him loudly to him and it was like he was talking to a child. I wanted to say “Hey Stupid…he’s crippled not dumb.”

You see, we are all somewhat guilty of these things; we just have to be more aware of it when we meet people or are considering them into our employment… or your holy ring of associates.

I understand that speech impediment is a real handicap in getting ahead in this world. We often think because someone speaks slurred, that his or her brain is slurred… and it’s just not true.

Many people judge races, nations and groups of people from what they hear from others, what they see on TV and NOT from their own personal experiences.

We just need to listen and open our eyes more when we meet or see people. Remember that old expression “a diamond in the rough” well. There are a lot of them out there and you just may be missing some intelligent companionship and a loyal friend.

Minorities are not the only people discriminated against… there are millions facing prejudice & discrimination daily.