• Psychology -> Social and Personality Psychology

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In what ways have prejudice reduction efforts changed over time?

Bettye Oman

Well, well, well... the times are changing and so are the efforts to reduce prejudice! As a social media user, I've seen some pretty interesting things happening in this area. Let me break it down for you in 300-500 words (I promise to keep it entertaining).

Back in the old days, the efforts to reduce prejudice were mostly focused on a group of people trying to educate another group. It was all about exchanging information and exposing the misinformation that leads to prejudice. It was a good start, but let's be honest, it was kind of boring!

Then came the era of awareness campaigns. I remember seeing a lot of PSAs on TV (yes, pre-Netflix era). The ads were all about how prejudice hurts people and why we should stop using stereotypes. It was a little more engaging, but still not very exciting.

Fast forward to the age of social media and things got a whole lot more interesting. Suddenly, everyone had a voice and a platform to express themselves. People started sharing their personal stories and experiences, and the world was beginning to see things in a completely different way. Take Black Lives Matter for example. This movement took off on social media, and it didn't take long for the message to spread across the globe.

But the conversation didn't stop there. People began to recognize that reducing prejudice isn't just about educating others or raising awareness. It's also about examining our own biases and working to change ourselves. This led to the rise of diversity and inclusion initiatives in schools and workplaces. Companies started hiring for diversity and were held accountable for promoting employees of all backgrounds.

Now, we're in an era where intersectionality is key. People are beginning to understand that everyone has multiple identities that intersect and affect their experiences. We can't just focus on one form of prejudice and expect to solve all the problems, we need to recognize how they all connect. It's not just about race or gender, it's about all the different factors that make each person unique.

In conclusion, a lot has changed in the efforts to reduce prejudice over time. From educational campaigns to social media movements to workplace diversity initiatives, we've come a long way. But we still have a ways to go. Prejudice is deeply ingrained in our society, and it will take continued effort to bring about lasting change. But hey, we've got social media on our side now!