Final answer:
Individuals can be excluded from membership due to discrimination, stereotypes, and prejudice. Laws like those enforced by the EEOC are designed to combat discrimination. However, affirmative action policies and hate crimes can still influence the dynamics of exclusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals may be excluded from membership in various groups or institutions for several reasons. Discrimination is a significant factor, where the dominant group uses law, custom, and political power to deny the rights of other groups. This can involve excluding people based on nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, or disability. Another reason for exclusion is the perpetuation of stereotypes and prejudice which leads to biased treatment. In the United States, laws like those enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) help to combat discriminatory practices in hiring and other areas.
Moreover, the presence of affirmative action policies, while intended to promote inclusivity, may inadvertently create a stigma that those who have historically been excluded are less qualified. This could hamper the opportunities and perceptions of individuals from underrepresented groups. It is also essential to address hate crimes which stem from in-group and out-group dynamics, resulting in extreme forms of exclusion and torment to certain groups.