I think the only reason prejudice exists is because we conditioned, not only in this country, but in many others, that there is a “right” or “wrong” when viewing people. Every culture is structured with a set of social guidelines that helps it’s members to be apart of the community. Every group is their own “gatekeeper”, in the sense that a person within a particular group considers another as, “In or Out”. This comes partially from the fact that human beings are naturally inclined to affiliate with others like themselves. However, in the United States, this notion is taken to the extreme. Whether it is on some T.V show or advertising, there is an obsessive emphasis on being “In”. We are encouraged to have the “right” things in order to be the “right” person. And what if we’re not the “right” person, are we the “wrong” person? When this type of “A or B” platform of judgment is used, it forces us to compartmentalize people in the most superficial form. We are encouraged to compete with others, implying that we are either ahead or behind another. We preach about our diversity but many strive to conform. Why? If we, as a whole nation really valued diversity in all of its facets, prejudice would not exist. I think it would be helpful for every group to look at other groups in a more anthropological way. What I mean by this in the simplest way is: Each person uses language in a way that is meaningful to them, therefore it is appropriate regardless of outside judgment.
Maybe I am more of a prescriptivist, maybe you are more of a descriptivist, or maybe you speak a dialect in which I completely don’t understand…and that’s OK. Respect does not just come from affiliation, it comes from diversity.