Prejudice is perpetuated through three types of rationalizations: denial, victim blaming, and avoidance. Explain what each rationalization is and give an example of each that occurs on a college campus

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Suggested Response:
• Denial: In making denial rationalizations, we refuse to recognize that there are problems in our society resulting from prejudices and discrimination. We deny first that there is a problem and then deny that we would ever participate in causing this problem. An example might be a white person when asked why he doesn't like black people saying, "I like all people, I even have a black friend back at home."
• Victim-blaming: Victim-blaming is just as it sounds, blaming the victim for any difficulties and problems that may occur. Victim-blamers focus on the group being harmed by societal prejudices and insist that society doesn't need to change: The group needs to change. An example that might be heard on a college campus might be, "Of course she gets treated badly by her boyfriend. She is always wearing those short dresses and dressing like a skank."
• Avoidance: Those who promote avoidance rationalizations recognize the problems in society as stemming from prejudice and discrimination however; they avoid confronting issues by offering a solution that addresses only part of a problem, or suggesting a false solution that does not address the problem at all. An example on a college campus occurs in diversity classes quite often. Students may ask, "Why can't we focus on how all people are alike instead of looking at how we are different. I don't see people's color; I like them the way they are."