Discrimination From Another Perspective

 

Unfortunately, we see discrimination often, whether it is in our community or in our place of work. Discrimination is extremely hurtful and it can be heartbreaking to know that it affects many individuals within our society. How does discrimination affect a person? The main characters of both presentations 50 Shades of Gay and Homecoming Kingface discrimination from society. The presenter of 50 Shades, iO Tillet Wright faces discrimination when applying for jobs or expressing homosexual behaviour. Whereas, the presenter of King Hasan Minhaj experienced discrimination when he was not allowed to take a Caucasian girl to prom, or when rocks were thrown at his family’s Camry after the 9/11 happened. Regardless of their differences they have both found ways to overcome discrimination and to be proud of their identity.Presenters Minhaj and Wright share their stories of discrimination through a Netflix comedy and a spoken word Ted Talk. Minhaj shares his story through a comedy of what it is like growing up with parents who are new to America. Minhaj has a lot of pressure to always maintain his parent’s high expectations and sometimes he fails to meet them. Minhaj experiences discrimination throughout his life and he once felt as if he had to prove his patriotism to society. Wright presents her spoken word in hopes to empower the LGBTQ community and to show others how one’s identity may be presented. Wright grew up in a family who is supportive of her identity and career choice. Wright lives in New York City; however she spends a lot of her time travelling around the world, to photograph people from the LGBTQ community. Wright hopes to better their lives and to help abolish the discrimination that they are faced with.

Society can discriminate others based on how one may identify themselves. When one displays homosexual behaviours or a non-conformist gender, they may be denied the rights to housing, jobs, marriage, or even the right to adopt. Society can pre judge individuals and discriminate them before getting to know who they truly are. Wright says, “ I met people who legally divorced their children for being other than straight,” (Wright, 11:57). What our society considers to be “normal” can have a negative influence on how one may think. Parents of children who aren’t attracted to the opposite sex may be brainwashed by our society to only think one way. A person’s own thoughts and opinions can be negatively influenced by not thinking for themselves and listening to the negativity that society is suggesting. Many individuals are constantly worried about others judging them and may not always express who they truly are. Those who have found their true identity and are brave enough to express it shouldn’t be discouraged to do so, they should be encouraged.  When meeting people for the first time we can be very judgemental. Wright explains, “We do this little interrogation when we meet people to make a mental resume,” (Wright, 00:28). As humans we can quickly judge others based on their identity and place them into boxes that they may or may not fit into. It’s unfair to many individuals because we may not always give someone a fair chance due to the stereotypes that society is telling us to believe.

Coming to a new country as an immigrant can be extremely difficult. Many may feel as if they deserve the discrimination that they are being faced with. Growing up with parents who are new to America can be challenging for Minhaj. His parents always have high standards and expectations for him. So wanting to take a Caucasian girl to prom was a very big ask from his parents. He knew he was going against his parent’s wishes. After preparing and planning for prom, Minhaj got on his bike and went to pick up Bethany at her house only to be turned away by her mother. Bethany’s mother said, “We have a lot of family back home from Nebraska and we are going to be taking photos, so we don’t think you’d be a good fit,” (Minhaj, 29:23). Because of the colour of Minhaj’s skin, Bethany’s mother didn’t want him to partake in any of the pictures that were being taken at her house. Although Minhaj and Bethany were very good friends at the time, Bethany’s mother was quick to judge and showed him away. This caused Minhaj to doubt his own self-worth and made him feel as if he deserved this kind of discriminatory behaviour. Despite being an American Citizen, Minhaj’s family felt as if they constantly had to prove their patriotism to society. Unfortunately, Minhaj’s family’s Camry was vandalized after 9/11  happened. Because of Minhaj’s family’s ethnicity they were specifically targeted. While cleaning up the shards of broken glass Minhaj’s father says, “You pay the American dream tax. You endure racism, and if it doesn’t cost your life, pay it,” (Minhaj, 43:51). Minhaj is being taught by his own father to accept the discrimination that he is being faced with, this may cause him to feel as if he constantly has to prove his patriotism to our society so he is accepted as an American, not a terrorist.

Throughout these hard times of being faced with discrimination both presenters Wright and Minhaj have found ways to overcome the discrimination. Growing up, Minhaj’s father always wanted him to find a good job and marry a Muslim woman. However, Minhaj never had the same mindset as his father. Minhaj’s father said, “Be a doctor, get a house in the burbs,”(Minhaj, 42:34).  Minhaj is now a successful comedian and is married to a Hindu woman, which is the complete opposite of what his father’s expectations were. Minhaj finds ways to overcome discrimination by writing about it in his comedy presentation and he educates others on how discrimination may negatively affect a person. Minhaj has discovered what makes him happy and doesn’t let what others may think stand in his way. Similarly, Wright finds ways to overcome discrimination by sharing her story on a Ted Talk. She educates us on how discrimination may affect one’s rights and how discrimination may affect a person within our society. Wright has made it her mission to travel around the world to take pictures of people who are part of the LGBTQ community. Wright wants to show everyone that we are all human and that there is no such thing as to what a gay person may look like. Wright says, “I hope it makes it harder to deny their human rights,” (Wright, 16:08). Wright has made it her objective to try to abolish the discrimination that LGBTQ people may be faced with. She has taken all of her own experiences and educates others on how these hurtful slurs can have a negative impact on a person.

In conclusion, both presenters, Wright and Minhaj have faced discrimination throughout their lives. The presenter of 50 Shades,Wright explains how others may face discrimination when applying for jobs or expressing homosexual behaviour. Whereas, the presenter of King, Minhaj experiences discrimination when he was not allowed to take a Caucasian girl to prom, or when rocks were thrown at his family’s Camry after  9/11 occurred. Regardless of their differences they have both found ways to overcome discrimination and to be proud of their identity. As a society we need to become more accepting of individuals and learn how to embrace others identity, so we can all be happy.

 

2 things proud of:

-I am proud of the points I made

– I am proud that I inserted my quotes correctly

2 things to Improve:

– I need to stick to my sources

-Pay more attention to punctuation