We Can Unlearn Prejudice

One of the most striking similarities between man and other creatures is their capabilities to learn, and to store that knowledge for daily use. But what distinguishes man from other animals is his ability to organize formal learning, and his highly sophisticated rationale; his ability to judge right and wrong, which animals lack. It is this ability for rational behavior that lends credence to the hypothesis that one can unlearn what he/she has learned; learning is not one way traffic.

Prejudice is defined as a preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience. It is an unjust behaviour formed on such a basis. Prejudices that we have against a particular group based on race, gender or class are attitudes that are learned. Research in the last thirty or so years has found that children learn prejudice through observing, influence by and the existence of patterns in the culture in which they live.

Whereas it is true that everyone discriminates at some personal levels, when, for instance, choosing the color of dress, and making friendships, there is little evidence that prejudice is inborn. Behavior is molded by action or attitudes of parents, the society through media, peer groups and even the teachers at school.

In a research he conducted in the late eighties on racial attitudes and how it affected children, Kenneth B. Clark says that some of the white people he interviewed told him that their parents punished them every time they played with black children in their neighborhood. Thus parental pressure makes a significant contribution towards opinion forming. Media reports, literature and peer pressure contribute significantly towards shaping perceptions of one social group towards another.

If society can use its superior socio-economic powers to shape warped opinions which are prejudicial to equity, and social equality, then it follows that the same effort and mechanisms may be useful in undoing the damage done. Through out history man has learned from his past mistakes.

Great democracies of the world like France and Great Britain were once absolute monarchies. During the dark ages people died for their contrary views about the Pope and his powers to forgive sins and so on.

We have come a long way, and in the same way scientific discoveries were made, and democracies created, prejudice can be unlearned.