Prejudice

What is prejudice? Webster’s dictionary has two different definitions for the word; (1): preconceived judgment or opinion (2) : an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge. However, you state it, prejudice results from a preconceived opinion without knowing the concrete facts. Therefore, prejudice births from ignorance. Prejudice doesn’t just occur against races; it can occur to any group or people that are different from others. One can even be prejudice against a whole country. Many people base their prejudices not on their own opinions, but on the opinions of others. They believe the stereotypes that float around in the media and from mouth to mouth. While it is true some stereotypes have some truth behind them, most are false exaggerations that need to be reversed. But what happens when one lets their minds be overrun by prejudices? They continue to stay ignorant people and have no real reason for why they believe anything. Prejudice causes unjust and unnecessary suffering and violence towards many people. Prejudice towards minorities, for example, is a huge issue in America. Most people don’t understand what their culture truly stands for and yet they have a dislike towards them as if they do know what they stand for and how they act. In politics, this can lead to legislation that restricts the rights of minorities simply on the basis of prejudice. Prejudice can never be justified; it is merely an ignorant state of mind that must be cured for a society to function correctly.