Discrimination in America

            
             Discrimination - What is it really all about? Does it still exist in America? The answer is absolutely, and unfortunately, it will always exist. I feel that this is a term that needs definition because it will always be controversial in American culture. Discrimination is defined as different treatment of others based solely on their membership in a socially distinct group or category, such as race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, or disability. Discrimination can be viewed as favorable or unfavorable, depending on whether a person receives favors or opportunities or is denied them. For example, a senior citizens discount shows favorable discrimination toward senior citizens. However, in modern usage, discrimination is usually considered unfavorable.
             Discrimination in America is very unique in many ways to other countries of the world. The most important reason is that we have the freedom to practice our own ideas, as granted to us by the Constitution of the United States. Hundreds of years ago, people sought a place where they could practice their religion freely and not be persecuted by those who discriminated against them. We are guaranteed freedom, but why do these rights disappear whenever someone different is involved? We all have the right to be free, but our human nature often gets the best of us. Our world is made up of so many people who are each different in their ideas and values, but America has always been a place where anyone could practice these ideas freely and without intervention. However, it has always been, and always will be that some people, who have conflicting ideas are discriminated against. .
             The most pervasive form of discrimination in the United States is that directed toward racial and ethnic groups. For hundreds of years, African-Americans have been discriminated against only because of the color of their skin. The Constitution recognized the legality of slavery, and the vast majority of slaves were Africans and their descendants.