In Defense of Prejudice

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Francisco Ayala

Caren Cox

9/10/13

Eng 1C.

"In Defense of Prejudice."

Homosexuals have been the target of negative attitudes and have faced discrimination

for many years due to their sexual orientation. In the article "In Defense of Prejudice" Jonathan

Rauch supports the prejudice and argues that it should not be removed in our society. As a gay

activist he has been the subject of prejudice in the past because he is in favor of and wants to

protect the "hate speech". He also tries to eliminate prejudice against homosexuals people but

nobody can stop prejudice because there will always be someone with racist remarks. He

believes that all people have the freedom to say whatever they want, but it does not give them

the right to say racist comments against gay people.

He goes on to explain how in public institutions such as universities, workplaces and

Capitol Hill agrees that prejudice should be banned. As the article says "authorities are

declaring that there is no place for racism, sexism, homophobia, Christian bashing, and other

forms of prejudice in public debate or even in private thought". He gives an example when a

student said in a classroom at the University of Michigan; homosexuality is a disease that can

be treatable by therapy. This student is sent to a counselor for disciplinary actions because he

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violated the school’s policy against hate speech.

Rauch believes that “intellectual pluralism” protects a place in human company for

those who are despised among blacks, whites, gays or straights. He affirms that intellectual

pluralism is a disagreement allowed in which he thinks the dissident may be wrong. Some

mistakes are intolerable and can harm the lives of people as Rauch assumes whether racists are

allowed to express what they beliefs, they are able to fight for what they think is correct and

most of the pluralists can be referred as...