Question

This comes from the Columbia University website: “As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, the University does not discriminate against or permit harassment of employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), pregnancy, religion, creed, national origin, age, alienage and citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, partnership status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest record, or any other legally protected status.”

1. Which characteristics are universal (we’re all afflicted and therefore vulnerable to discrimination) and which ones are individual (some of us have the trait and some don’t)? In your opinion is one group more vulnerable to discrimination? Why?
   
2. If you wanted to stop discrimination at Columbia University, could you rank the protected characteristics in terms of their importance? Which forms of discrimination would be most important to combat and which wouldn’t matter so much? Or are they all equally important? Justify your answer.
   
3. Are there any characteristics you would add to the list? In terms of doing ethics, is there any problem with a list this long?

Answer 1

Answer= The different elements that can be included in the universal characteristics category could include, color, race, religion citizenship, national origin, ethnicity, gender and age and so on. On the other hand, individual traits will be related to person-specific elements such as education, personal capability, and skills. The chances of experiencing high level of discrimination are more in the case of a single person as there is hardly any law or rule that can safeguard him or her. While if we look at the universal groups, then we are more subjected to greater protection as there are a number of laws and regulations. It is important for the government and judiciary to take strict actions against those who are involved in any sort of discrimination

Answer= Ethically and legally no individual is inferior or superior to any other individual. In the eyes of the aw every person is equal and no discrimination is made on the basis of gender, age, religion and so on. If the discrimination has to be removed, it has been observed that race, gender, ethnicity and religion are the main source of discrimination.

Answer= The last name of the family name of the person can also be included in the given list. It has been observed that of the last name or the family name of a person belongs to the other origin then the likelihood of discrimination is great. I do not see any issue with the long list as long as it protects the individuals from discrimination.