Understanding Discrimination and Prejudice
Discrimination and prejudice are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings that are essential to understand.

What is Prejudice?
Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or feelings about individuals or groups, usually based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion. These opinions are often negative and not based on actual experience or knowledge.

• Emotional Response: Prejudice is often tied to feelings of dislike or suspicion.
• Generalizations: It involves making sweeping generalizations about a group rather than seeing individuals.
• Based on Stereotypes: Prejudice is often rooted in stereotypes, which are oversimplified ideas about a group.

What is Discrimination?
Discrimination is the action that stems from prejudice. It involves treating individuals unfairly or unjustly based on their characteristics. Discrimination can occur in various settings, including workplaces, schools, and public spaces.

• Behavioral Aspect: Discrimination is about actions taken against individuals or groups.
• Types of Discrimination: It can be direct (overt actions) or indirect (policies that disadvantage a group).
• Legal Implications: Discrimination can be illegal, depending on the context and the laws in place.

Key Differences
Understanding the differences can help in addressing both issues effectively:

• Nature: Prejudice is an attitude; discrimination is an action.
• Impact: Prejudice affects thoughts and feelings; discrimination affects people's lives and opportunities.

In summary, while prejudice shapes how we think about others, discrimination is the impact of those thoughts in real-world actions.