Social Inequality and Discrimination

Race is considered a social construct because it is based on physical characteristics that society has chosen to emphasize, rather than biological differences that define separate human species.

The American Melting Pot is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous, where different elements 'melt' together into a harmonious whole. It implies the assimilation and acceptance of diverse people into a unified national identity.

Integration is the process of ending the separation of people by race or other characteristics. Segregation is the opposite, referring to the forced separation of groups.

Apartheid was the institutionalized system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the white minority government in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.

The term "Ethnic" implies a social division based on shared culture. People belonging to the same ethnic group believe in their common descent because of similarities of physical type or of culture or both. They need not always have the same religion or nationality.

Affirmative action policies are designed to provide equal opportunities and support to historically disadvantaged groups, including women, to improve their social and economic well-being.

India seeks to secure social, economic and political justice for its people which is specified in the Preamble. Social Justice means the absence of socially privileged classes in the society and no discrimination against any citizen on grounds of caste, creed, colour, religion, sex or place of birth. It also stands for elimination of all forms exploitation from the society.

The Indian Constitution ensures to all citizens of India equality of status and opportunity as Fundamental Rights which are can be enforced in a court of law. It means the absence of special privilege to any person or section and adequate opportunities for all. It stipulates each and every person be treated equally and subject to equal law.

The Indian constitution has established a welfare state meaning the state is placed in the position of guardian to the people. Thus the state has some obligations to fulfill to maintain the standard and quality lives of its citizens. The state is empowered to take positive actions to uplift the socially disadvantaged groups by enacting positive discrimination that ensures equality and at the same time does not dent the right to others. The reservation system for socially and educationally backward classes in schools and college admissions and to secure entry in jobs has the same rationale that is to provide adequate and equal representation of backward classes that have no means to secure themselves such position.

A society that has similar kinds of people, especially where there are no significant ethnic differences is called as a homogeneous society. Germany and Sweden were highly homogeneous at one point of time.

The system of forced racial segregation in South Africa was known as apartheid. It was abolished in the year 1991 after a long struggle of great personalities like Nelson Mandela.

Minorities in the Indian context means minority religions - Muslims, Christians, Jains, Sikhs etc. SC, ST, OBC are not in minority. They are not minority castes, they predominantly belong to Hinduism and are Hindus.

Marginalized and discriminated groups organize and fight against the systemic structures and societal conditions that perpetuate injustice. While they may interact with governments or the rich, the core target of their struggle is the injustice itself.

In the social environment too, groups of people or communities may have the experience of being excluded. Their marginalisation can be because they speak a different language, follow different customs or belong to a different religious group from the majority community. They may also feel marginalised because they are poor, considered to be of low social status and viewed as being less human than others.