Journal+5

1. Why do people tend to make fun of those who are in some way different? Do you believe this tendency is stronger in adults or children? Why?

People tend to have problem with change and are taught that being different is a bad thing from childhood. I think that children seem to have a stronger tendency to do this, because they tend to encounter people who are different more often, since they haven't met as many people.

2. Imagine which kind of insult would provoke you the most. An insult about... Explain which insult is most offensive to you and why.
 * your appearance or dress
 * your character or actions
 * a friend or family member
 * your beliefs

I would say that an insult to my character or my actions would be the biggest insult to me. This would be because I feel like an insult to a person's character or actions is very personal and it would hurt more because it is more personal.

3. Give examples of prejudice (this can be a list). What are the most common types in your community? Your school? Explain why prejudice is destructive, perhaps citing specific examples you've heard of or witnessed. Have you ever experienced any sort of prejudice?

Many people think...

Guys with long hair do drugs

Effeminate males are gay

Racism in general

In our community I would say that "Effeminate males are gay" would be the most common. This is also true in our school. These prejudices hurt the people who make them and those they are made about. For example, not asking a guy to join a game of soccer because you think he's "gay" leaves you without a player and him feeling left out. I've had people not talk normally to me or avoid me because they think I'm "geeky" before.