Final answer:
Racism and discrimination involve prejudicial attitudes and actions based on race, national origin, or ethnicity, including cultural stereotypes and colorism. Despite the progress made, systemic discrimination based on these factors still affects various aspects of society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Being judged on the basis of someone's race, national origin, or ethnicity refers to racism and discrimination. Racism is a set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices that justifies the belief that one racial category is superior or inferior to others. This can manifest in a variety of ways, including cultural stereotypes, such as Asian Americans being perceived as cold, sly, and intelligent, or Latinos as cold and unintelligent. Colorism is a particular form of discrimination where individuals are treated differently based on skin tone, an issue that research has shown to be prevalent within communities, affecting socialization and the experience of discrimination.
In the United States, institutionalized racism has a long history, with overt discrimination evident in practices like Jim Crow laws. While such overt discrimination is not tolerated in modern society, systemic racism and prejudice can still persist in more subtle forms. Discrimination emerges not only through personal bias but can be embedded within policies, laws, and social norms, affecting areas such as housing, employment, and law enforcement practices. Recognizing and challenging these stereotypes and discriminatory practices are vital steps towards achieving a more equitable society.