Discrimination
What to do if you are being discriminated against.
Discrimination is when you aren’t treated as well as others because of a supposed difference. Legally everyone has equal rights. We are all born equal regardless of age, race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.
However some people have different views and opinions, some more extreme than others. In recent years more and more asylum seekers and immigrants have come to Ireland to seek shelter from wars, famine, poverty and persecution in their home countries. This has caused an increase in the number of hate crimes and racism.
This is ironic as just over 150 years ago we Irish were sending millions to the U.S, Britain and Australia to escape similar problems. How would we feel if a loved one went to another country and was abused and discriminated against?
It’s not only immigrants who are discriminated against. The travelling community are one of the main groups targeted here in Ireland. In a recent survey 59% of Irish people said they did not want to live beside a Traveller and 48% said they said they would not consider a Traveller competent enough to sit on a jury.
People with disabilities can also have a very hard time. Disabilities can range from brain damage to having a stutter. These people often experience abuse, isolation, discrimination and prejudice on a daily basis and don’t have the same access to services (transport, jobs etc.) as the majority of the population.
Despite improvements, women in the workplace are also victims of discrimination. Just look at all the top jobs in big business and politics, they’re nearly all occupied by men!
Young people, old people, poor people, gays and lesbians and residents of rural areas are often at the receiving end of discrimination when it comes to education, transport, housing, jobs, health and general life issues.
Prejudice is also a problem- it's a judgment that is made by someone without evidence or reason. Maybe someone decides what they think of you before even trying to get to know you. Prejudices can be thoughts, words, actions or even looks. Phrases such as "Girls can’t do that", "Americans are all the same" or "That’s so gay" are all prejudiced.
The effects of discrimination and prejudice can be severe. They can include feelings of loneliness, depression, anger and even suicide. Discrimination can easily be avoided if we all respect each other and ensure the law is applied equally.
Discrimination is about DIFFERENCE.
You might be a different religion, ethnic group or colour to the majority of people around you. Or other people might think of you as different and discriminate against you because of this prejudice. Discrimination causes massive problems all over the world. In Ireland we see discrimination in our attitude to the Traveller community, hate crimes against immigrants and the Troubles in Northern Ireland between opposing communities.
Things like "Female employees have to wear skirts", "We don’t allow Travellers into this bar" or "We only employ Irish speakers" are all discrimination.
Discrimination can be any requirements that put people at an unfair disadvantage. For example it’s discrimination for a college to require that students are fluent in Irish when it’s clearly not needed for the course. Or for an employer who insists that you must have qualifications obtained in Ireland or the UK.
Discrimination can also be less noticeable such as when work or education conditions mean that one group or people are favoured (men, women, Irish, Catholic and so on). This is indirect discrimination and includes stuff like job advertisements looking for waitresses (making you think that men can’t apply) or being fired because you refused to discriminate against other people as part of your job (not serving immigrants or Travellers for example).
Legally, you cannot be discriminated against in employment and training, education, transport, financial matters, entertainment, socialising or housing.
Simply put, treat others as you would like to be treated!
If you think you’re being discriminated against or are the victim of prejudice then contact the Equality Authority in Ireland or the Citizens Advice Bureau or Equality Commission in NI for advice.
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