Discrimination, Bias and Prejudice

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Discrimination, Bias and Prejudice
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Definition of Terms

• Discrimination The act, practice or an instance
  of discriminating categorically rather than
  individually
• Bias A partiality that prevents objective
  consideration of an issue or situation
• Prejudice Being biased or having a belief or
  attitude formed beforehand

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Bumiputera Scheme in Malaysia

• Son of the earth Malays and indigenous ethnic
  groups of Malaysia
• E.g. Separate academic requirements in admission
  policies, quota in ownership of businesses
• Intended to provide bumiputeras with advantage
• Discrimination without bias or prejudice

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To Kill a Mockingbird

• Written by Harper Lee in 1960 and set in Alabama
• Black man is accused of raping a white woman
  despite evidence to the contrary
• Black man is found guilty and shot while trying
  to escape
• Entire town is prejudiced against blacks save a
  few people

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Quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird

• But there is one way in this country in which
  all men are created equal- That institution,
  gentlemen, is a court.
• A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury
  is only as sound as the men who make it up.
• In the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had
  no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella
  Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.

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Points to Ponder

• Is herd mentality to blame for the inaction of
  many people towards racism, bias or prejudice?
• How similar is the bumiputera scheme to other
  schemes in other countries that favour minority
  ethnicities?
• Is a jury trial better than a judge trial in
  delivering a judgement without bias and prejudice?