Race discrimination Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Race discrimination - Research Paper Example It becomes evident that while the oppressor enjoys considerable social, psychological, economic, and political advantages through discrimination, the victims pay a huge physical and psychological fee. In the modern world where geographical boundaries are disappearing every moment, the issue gains more public attention because it is not possible for cultures to remain totally isolated. Workplaces of present day are multicultural as organizations move out of their home counties. That means communication and cooperation of people from various places and cultures. Thus, the element of racial discrimination gains the attention of scholars. Defining racial discrimination Article 1 of The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) defines racial discrimination as â€Å"any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life† (ICERD, 1966, Article 1). ... Direct racial discrimination One can say there is direct racial discrimination when one is able to show that one receives less favorable treatment than others based on racial identity. An example of such direct discrimination is visible in BBC v. Souster (2001) IRLR 150. Mr. Souster was a Rugby Special presenter of BBC Scotland. He raised the allegation that the company fired him because he was not Scottish. However, the response of BBC was that the issue of racial discrimination would not arise as both English and Scottish people possess British passport. In the dispute, the decision of the Scottish Court of Session was that just a common passport would not mean lack of racial discrimination. The court opined that there was separate national origin and hence there was a case of racial discrimination prima facie. Thus, one gains the broad understanding that discrimination is not always based on reality; but based on the perception of the discriminator. Indirect racial discrimination A look into the explanation given by Equality and Human Rights Commission proves that there are two categories of indirect racial discrimination. The first category is based on color or nationality, and the second is based on race, ethnic or national origin. Indirect racial discrimination often appears in apparently non-discriminatory requirements and conditions. To illustrate, a company may put forward such a condition for employment or promotion which only a particular racial group meets or which evidently denies chances for a particular racial group. A perfect example of this kind of discrimination is seen in Aina v. Employment Service (2002) DCLD 103D. In this case,