8.1: Prejudice and Discrimination in the 21st Century

 

 

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. — Martin Luther King Jr.

We belong to each other. — Mother Teresa

Peace begins with understanding. — Thich Nhat Hanh

Introduction

Most people would like a world rooted in dignity and connection. As the quotes above reflect, noted leaders have acknowledge the importance of human connection for a peaceful existence. Yet, despite a desire for improved relationships with people who may at first glance appear different from ourselves, Americans are not perceiving improvements in race relations in the United States. 

According to research from the Pew Institute (2025) found that the majority of Americans recognize that discrimination exists in the United States, especially in the areas of  policing, housing, and medical care. Furthermore, Americans report that their perceptions of racism and discrimination have increased since 2016 (Pew Research Center, 2019). While there are many reasons for the increased perceptions of racism and discrimination in society (social media, politics, hate crimes, etc), sadly one of the best predictors of attitutudes about this issue has become a persons political party (Pew Research Center, 2025).

In this chapter, we will explore different barriers to intercultural communication, including prejudice, discrimination, racism, privilege, ethnocentrism, and stereotypes.  We will end the chapter with Growing Your Intercultural Skills and a specific focus on how to use communication not only for self-reflection, but to respond appropriately, effectively, and safely when confronted with bias in communication. 

First, read on for some examples of discrimination impacting well-known public figures. 

Who Experienced This? 

Prejudice and discrimination show up in many forms—sometimes subtle, sometimes painfully direct. Below are real incidents involving well‑known public figures. See if you can identify who experienced each one before checking the answers at the bottom of the page.

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Can You Guess Who…?

• Black/African American

  • This world‑famous media icon visited a luxury boutique in Switzerland and was denied the chance to view a high‑end handbag.
  • The sales associate insisted it was “too expensive” and pushed cheaper items instead.
  • The incident sparked international discussion about racial profiling in retail spaces.

• Asian/Asian American

  • This rising actor from the Star Wars franchise endured a wave of racist and sexist online harassment.
  • Trolls edited her online profiles with slurs targeting her ethnicity.
  • The hostility eventually drove her off social media and inspired a powerful essay about self‑worth.

• Latino/Hispanic

  • This award‑winning Latina performer was told early in her career to “sound more Latina,” despite not having the accent casting directors expected.
  • She was once denied a role because the production had already cast one Latino actor.
  • Her experiences highlight tokenism and stereotyping in the entertainment industry.

• Middle Eastern/South Asian

  • This acclaimed actor has spoken openly about being repeatedly profiled at airports.
  • He was once detained and questioned despite returning from a professional achievement abroad.
  • He described the experience as being forced to wear a “chain of labels.”

• Multiracial Families

  • This high‑profile mother recounted a disturbing incident on a flight where a passenger shouted racial slurs at her toddler.
  • The attack targeted both the child’s identity and the mother’s interracial marriage.
  • The moment underscored how prejudice can harm even the youngest members of society.

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Answer Key

• Oprah Winfrey
• Kelly Marie Tran
• America Ferrera
• Riz Ahmed
• Kim Kardashian and North West