The last acceptable prejudice

[Modem Butterfly]

I hear this phrase used a lot: "X is the last acceptable prejudice," where X could be weight, not being religious, being gay or lesbian, national origin, whiteness, blackness, vegetarianism, and on and on. To me, it's an indicator that we have a lot of prejudices that are more or less acceptable. In your opinion, what is the most acceptable prejudice, currently?

[bryant69]

1. It's a tricky question

Smoking could be proposed. Weight certainly. Religion or lack thereof.

Race on the other hand (blackness particularly) I can't see. While there is plenty of racism in America it's not really seen as acceptible.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[HomerRamone]

13. height, small breasts/penis, probably UGLINESS (only half kidding)... n/t

[atommom]

2. There are so many to choose from!

Right now lack of religiousness is a very popular one, as is homosexuality. But the old favorite, being female, is right up there too. (Donning asbestos suit now. ;) )

[MemphisTiger]

10. I disagree with the female discrimination

I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but not like it used to. Also, it's not seen as acceptable to most people like racism is not seen as acceptable by most people. Also, being female has advantages in some work environments, such as any quota or affirmative action driven workplace. I'll probably get flamed for this, but it's true.

[FizzFuzz]

24. read "W's War On Women" by Laura Flanagan and get back to me. n/t

[MemphisTiger]

34. Why don't you just sum it up for me and I'll give you my opinion

based on your summary

[FizzFuzz]

36. You sound real snippy. And I was just suggesting a good read.

I have to get going to work, but if you're actually asking seriously, without that "you snotty feminist" tone, then give me some time so I can do a proper summation.

Otherwise, you're making a great contribution towards an answer to the question posed in the OP.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

3. homophobia and sexism is perfectly acceptable in most places

[BurtWorm]

4. Liberalism or leftism.

It's okay to trash people for holding these views. If lefties trash wingers, even some among their own will tsk tsk them for taking too much delight in it. But no one has problems with prejudice against leftism.

[soleft]

5. male pattern baldness

[davis_islander]

6. Smoker discrimination is legal

Probably always will be. Never answer "yes" to the "Do you smoke?" question on applications. Why do they not ask "Are you an alcoholic?" Or, "Do you get drunk on business trips and say inappropriate things to the client?" Smoking is very unhealthy, but not illegal yet. Alcohol can be very unhealthy as well.

[Rainbowreflect]

16. The problem I have with what you are saying is smoking is

very different than most of these other issues. Smoking is a choice, 100% a choice.
Also that fact that someone smokes does not bother me in the least, if they are rude about it & inconsiderate of others with their smoking it does bother me.
Therefore it is their actions not some aspect of who they are (race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation) that I have an issue with.

[trof]

33. Yep, smokers.

We have zero rights.
It's open season and we are fair game.
Don't bother complaining to your city council member or your congressional representative.

What amazes me is that there are any of us left to discriminate against.
After decades of propaganda, everyone knows that smoking is a 100% fatal death-sentence activity.
Right there on my carton of smokes it says "SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: SMOKING CAUSES LUNG CANCER, HEART DISEASE, EMPHYSEMA, AND MAY COMPLICATE PREGNANCY".

Doesn't say "may" cause all this disease. It DOES. Every time. Period.
Damn. Why haven't we all died off by now?
Another question:
Why do people who have never smoked in their lives, who have never lived with, or even been around a smoker, die from the same diseases?
Why and how did my sweet mother-in-law, who NEVER smoked, and whose husband and kids never smoked, manage to contract lung cancer and die?

And why do people who have smoked most of their lives die from other causes?
It's a puzzlement.
Flame away.
;-)

[mcscajun]

45. But we don't judge you by your smoking. We only object TO the smoking.

That's the difference. We're objecting to the effect of your choice on others.

I've never looked down on someone or made disparaging remarks about them because they smoke. I don't know anyone who does...doesn't mean they're not out there.

Taking shit for something you Do doesn't make you a victim of prejudice.

Taking shit for who or what you ARE, does.

[Warpy]

35. Drunks don't leave their desks or other workplace

at least once an hour to go out and partake of their drug of choice. Smokers do. They have to, or their brains just don't work right. Somehow, using the gum or a patch at work isn't an acceptable substitute for them.

That's one thing that makes it a valid question.

Nobody bothers to ask about alcoholism because alcoholism is a disease of denial and they woudldn't get a straight answer. Alcoholic behavior results in firing.

[PDittie]

7. Ignorance

Criticism of the Moron-Americans who elected Bush is allegedly verboten.

[Taxloss]

8. A belief in Hell.

Believing that certain people are going to be forever tortured for their actions or beliefs. It's a prejudice, and it's "acceptable".

[Modem Butterfly]

30. Perhaps in some parts of the country

In other parts (for instance, where I live) there's a strong bigotry towards those of us who do not believe in Hell.

[Taxloss]

37. Yes, that's what I mean.

Belief in Hell is bigotry.

[Modem Butterfly]

38. Gotcha.

Bonks self on head.

I guess it would help to actually read the posts before responding, wouldn't it?

[Taxloss]

40. My presence in the A&A group should have been a clue ...

:D

PS I really respect your contibutions to the whole debate there.

[Modem Butterfly]

43. Not necessarily

In some parts of the country, people who have a literal belief in Hell are really looked down on. Think about what it must be like for a literalist living some place like the Bay Area or New York. I thought that's what you were refering to.

Okay, I'm just covering. I didn't even make the connection between this post, those posts, and your user name.

[Taxloss]

44. Fair enough.

I suppose amused contempt towards a nonsensical minority position could be taken as prejudice.

[Kingshakabobo]

9. Homosexuality. Hands down.

All one has to do is throw up the bible and religion and you get a free pass to say what you please; even on the floor of the house.

Don't get me wrong, race and gender are huge. Race and gender still take the cake when you figure pervasiveness but we are talking ACCEPTABLE.

[Modem Butterfly]

11. Yes, that's absolutely up there in my personal top 10

Everyone has to define this stuff for themselves, but, IMHO, homophobia is so ingrained in our culture that some folks are starting to mistake homophobia itself FOR our culture.

[gollygee]

21. No other prejudice

is getting written into law in state after state as we speak.

[MarianJack]

12. As a Result ofMy Long and Maddening Job Search...

...I'm starting to think that AGE is one.

It can certainly go both ways, like not hring someone because they're too young OR too old. Since I'm going to be 50 in June, I sure as hell ain't the former!

It's gotten to the point where I've taken the dates of my degrees off of my resume (and started getting calls after I did) and am seriously considering dying my hair, even though I've been gray since I was 28 and started graying at 17! Back then it was "distinguished".

At this point though, in our "values" country, I think that the number of acceptable prejudices is INCREASING, not decreasing.

[kiki]

14. "America-hating"...

...which, translated, means "hatred of the Bush dynasty and their crimes, opposition to the rise of a pseudo-fascist culture in America, belief in the misguided notion that the lives of non-Americans are as valuable as the lives of Americans, etc etc."

I'm sure it reaches the level of blind prejudice a lot of the time. And I personally find it perfectly acceptable.

[jokerman93]

19. pseudo-fascist culture in America

Is it really pseudo? I'd say it's becoming increasingly authentic. But since most American's are blissfully unaware of the kool-aid they're drinking, I'd have to call it crypto-fascist, for now anyway.

But I agree with you since I am feeling decidedly un-patriotic lately. The myth of America is wearing thin. If you notice it and say something, you're marginalized.

on edit: grammar

[kiki]

22. Well yes, there are two definitions:

'False', as in 'pseudo-science'; and 'apparently similar'. So I was going for the second one - I guess I just use 'pseudo-' to mean 'kinda'. It's 'kinda fascism' at the moment - it feels a bit extreme to call America a bona fide fascist nation, and arguably a bit of an insult to those who've had to live in regimes more accurately fitting that description. But I certainly agree about the direction it's heading.

[starroute]

29. "Crypto-fascist" probably fits better

That would mean something like "covertly fascist," which I think is the meaning you're looking for.

[arwalden]

15. Two: Homosexuals and Non-Christians.

Horrors if you're both!

[Modem Butterfly]

27. I think they're two faces of the same beast

Prejudice against free-thinkers and homophobia are two faces of the same beast, namely, bigotry that has its roots in theocracy. It is no accident that immediately after the election, there were a number of posts decrying the push for marriage equality as the reason we lost and it's no accident that now we are seeing posts that claim a push toward religious neutrality has and will cost us votes. Furthermore, I believe very strongly that if the right can sufficiently demonize our brothers and sisters who are gay (or bisexual, or transgendered or polyamorous for that matter), they will come after the free-thinkers next.

[TalkingDog]

17. Poor white trailer trash bashing

Along with anyone Southern or Appalachian.

[kiki]

18. In the UK, it's anti-Europe xenophobia.

While I suppose we've made many positive steps against racism (although these seem to be going into reverse these days), saying shitty things about the Italian, German and particularly French people has always been seen as "a bit of a giggle".

[Taxloss]

42. Hear hear!

Making out that Europe - in general - is a "bad thing" and spreading lies about both the EU and Europe in general is a real problem here.

[bobweaver]

20. Economic class

[rbnyc]

23. lookism

You can be gay, black, hindu, christian, trans, even fat, but it's ok as long as you are good-looking---especially as long as you have a prominant chin and well-developed jaw-line.

Seriously, find me a powerful, socially-respected person with a tiny little sunken chin.

[Just Me]

25. Lawyers and politicians and used car salesmen and crooked corporatists.

I confess that I tend to view the foregoing with a set of assumptions in mind. But, at least I recognize my own prejudice which opens the door to overcoming it IF provided evidence to the contrary.

:evilgrin:

[Modem Butterfly]

31. Don't be too quick to be open-minded on these folks!

Talk about something that can come back and bite you. OUCH!

[starroute]

26. Geeks

I keep noticing geeks showing up as either villains or figures of mockery on tv. I can't think of any other group that it's considered okay to sneer at to the same degree.

Blacks and homosexuals may run into more actual discrimination, but those prejudices are no longer universally acceptable. The prejudice against geeks is.

[ThorsHammer]

28. IMO I'd rather not have any prejudice

But popular culture would say homosexuals, Southerners, the obese, smokers, and poor whites.

[maxsolomon]

32. the last ethnic minority it is acceptable to demean is...

Appalachians. you call them "hillbillies". bigotry against them is profligate in popular culture.

& all the did was invent folk music & whiskey.

[Spider Jerusalem]

39. Except they didn't invent it...

they just brought it with them from Scotland and Ireland.

[ernstbass]

47. Being from the hills of Virginia - I agree with you

[Fleshdancer]

41. this question was easier to answer 4 years ago....

in such a short amount of time, the door has blown wide open to say horrible, discriminating remarks against a huge variety of people. Prior to 2000, my answer would probably have been the over-weight because outright hatred towards Gays *seemed* to be declining. Now, it's open season for anyone who thinks or is different from those in power.

[mcscajun]

46. Succinct!

I couldn't have said it better (even though my particular 'drum to beat' this year is weight prejudice.)