Essay About American Society And Persons Translation

Prejudice
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12/5/05
Prejudice Defined
Each citizen within the American society has his own definition of the word
prejudice. A persons translation of the word dictates his response to other peoples
prejudices. One interpretation of it could be a feeling of partiality resulting from a
prejudgment that influences a persons thoughts, mindset, and behavior.
Todays society usually associates negative connotations with the word prejudice.
This is why the average American cringes or switches to self-defense mode when he
hears the word uttered. However, prejudices do not have to be negative. For example, a
prejudice, or prejudgment, can be made on a particular activity or location to determine
whether or not a person places himself/herself there. A persons prejudice could help to
keep them out of a harmful or even dangerous situation. The fact that a person has
preconceived ideas, or prejudices, toward a particular setting or environment does not
make the ideas negative. Therefore, those with a positive view need to reclaim the word
from those with negative mindsets.
Unfortunately, the most common association of the word prejudice is the feelings of
hatred between whites and blacks. Prejudices have driven individual people groups to
look down upon and mistreat other people groups because they