SEE ATTACHED
Discussion Board 1:
Equal employment opportunity and subsequent discrimination are major factors in today’s workplace. For a quick review, you can access the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s
Employees & Job Applicants webpage to review discrimination by type.
Considering the many types of employment discrimination, share which discrimination law you believe is the most important. Explain your rationale.
Initial post to be a minimum of 500 words and at least one supporting reference. Posts to others should be a minimum of 250 words.
Response 1:
Jazmin Brooks
Employment Discrimination
When I think about equal employment opportunity, it’s clear that every type of discrimination is harmful and needs to be taken seriously. However, if I had to choose the discrimination law most important to me, I would say that it is the law prohibiting racial discrimination in the workplace. Personally, this particular one stands out because of its history, its impact on generations of workers, and the way it continues to influence opportunities today.
As we know, racial discrimination in employment has been a persistent issue in the United States, and was such a critical problem that it became one of the central focuses of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, specifically under Title VII, which made it illegal for employers to treat someone unfairly because of their race. This law was groundbreaking because it forced employers to rethink hiring, promotion, and workplace practices that had historically excluded people of color from equal opportunities. Even though this law has been in place for decades, racial discrimination is still a major issue in many workplaces, which is why I believe it remains the most important.
One reason racial discrimination laws are so vital is because one’s race often determines their access to opportunity. Studies have shown that racial bias influences hiring decisions even when qualifications are the same. For example, Bertrand and Mullainathan (2004) conducted a study where they sent out identical resumes, but some had “white-sounding” names while others had “Black-sounding” names. The resumes with white-sounding names received significantly more callbacks, proving that bias still plays a role in who gets a chance at an interview. This shows that without strong legal protections, many qualified individuals might never even get their foot in the door.
Another reason I view this law as the most important is its connection to broader issues like generational wealth and long-term economic stability. Employment is not just about having a job, it’s about building a career, supporting a family, and preparing for the future. If racial discrimination blocks access to higher-paying jobs or leadership roles, then entire communities are left at a disadvantage. This kind of discrimination doesn’t just hurt one person; it affects families for generations. For example, if someone is denied promotions or fairly paid opportunities because of race, their ability to invest in education, home ownership or retirement is limited compared to their peers. This creates somewhat of a snowball effect that stagnates an individual and their family, simply because of the color of their skin.
I also think racial discrimination is a key issue because it often overlaps with other types of discrimination. A woman of color, for example, might face both gender discrimination and racial discrimination, which creates compounded disadvantages. While other protections such as those for age, disability, or gender are extremely important, I see racial discrimination as the foundation that ties many of these issues together. If workplaces make serious progress in reducing racial bias, they are also likely to create more inclusive environments that reduce other forms of discrimination too.
Lastly, I believe tackling racial discrimination is essential for building strong and successful organizations. Companies often talk about the benefits of diversity, such as improved innovation and better decision-making. But diversity can only exist if people of all races feel welcomed, valued, and treated fairly. Strong enforcement of racial discrimination laws ensures that employees can focus on doing their best work instead of worrying about being judged by something they cannot change: their race. This, in my opinion, is not a political talking point, it speaks to morals, ethics, and humanity.
To conclude, I would like to reiterate that I believe all discrimination laws play an important role. However, I truly believe racial discrimination laws are the most important and should be treated as such because they protect against one of the most deeply rooted, historical and persistent forms of inequality. Additionally, they help break cycles of economic disadvantage while creating a foundation for fairness that supports other types of equity in the workplace. Without addressing racial discrimination, it would be nearly impossible to achieve true equal employment opportunity.
Reference
Bertrand, M., & Mullainathan, S. (2004). Are Emily and Greg more employable than Lakisha and Jamal? A field experiment on labor market discrimination. American Economic Review, 94(4), 991–1013.
