Discrimination on Basis of Appearance

1128 Words3 Pages

By definition, discrimination describes the treatment against or towards a person of a specific group according to his classification, order or rank. Discrimination may be between individuals or groups of a different race, tribe, ethnic group or background. Gender, employment and reverse discrimination are a few examples. All forms of bigotry imply rejection or exclusion. Various religious groups permit unfair treatment based on certain principals and allow for intolerance against single mothers and gays. However, they will cease victimization on the basis of age, disability and breastfeeding to name of few. At some point in your life, you will become a victim of intolerance based upon the narrow-mindedness of others. Someday, you may be judged because of the way you look, which was the case in the novel “A Prayer for Owen Meany.

The story reflects the treatment he received because of his outward appearance. Based on the novel by John Irving, Owen was a dwarf and because of his condition his body was malformed. He had a very weird voice and his classmates loved picking him up. His skin color was like that of a gravestone, gray and always looked translucent. The girls referred to him as, “a little doll” (Irving 3). When his teacher would leave the classroom, kid’s thought is was fun to pick him up and pass him over their heads from one to another. When his teacher walked back to the classroom, she would snap at Owen, “Owen Meany, you get back to your seat! You get down from up there!” (Irving 5). Owen did not dare tell the teacher that it was not his fault but that of the other students. When playing baseball, others would shout, “Your head’s bigger than your strike zone, pal” (Irving 4). When lifted up Owen said, “cut it out! I...

... middle of paper ...

...g, John. A prayer for Owen Meany: a novel. New York :Ballantine Books,1989.

Judd Terri & Griffey Harriet. (Tuesday, 15 May 2007) .Discrimination against girls 'still deeply entrenched’ . 18 February ,2010.

< http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/discrimination-against-girls-still-deeply-entrenched-448901.html› News › World › World Politics>

Linton, Nicole (September 28th 2006).Discrimination in the work place. 18 February, 2010.

Randall ,Vernellia (24th March 2006). LSAT Discrimination and Minorities. 18 February , 2010.

< http://academic.udayton.edu/race/03justice/legaled/legaled01.htm / >

Open Document