Bigotry

Dependence on bigotry
Bigoted people

Nature

The Cambridge Dictionary defines a bigot as “a person who has strong, unreasonable beliefs, and who does not like other people who have different beliefs or a different way of life”. Bigotry is an individual attitude that promotes baseless beliefs and is intolerant of others. It is exemplified by xenophobia, racism and misogyny.

Background

Bigotry has been recognized as a persistent global issue since early records of intergroup conflict, with its destructive impact highlighted during periods of mass discrimination such as the Inquisition, colonialism, and the Holocaust. The 20th century saw heightened international awareness, particularly after World War II, leading to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ongoing research and advocacy continue to reveal the pervasive and evolving nature of bigotry across societies, prompting worldwide efforts to address its manifestations.

Incidence

Religious bigotry has been evidenced throughout history; Jews have often been the target. Political bigotry exists most commonly under totalitarian regimes headed by people with extremist positions. Class bigotry, in addition to the obvious caste system, is often discernible in labour - management conflicts and in the attitude of one national group to another.

Claim

Bigotry is an intolerant, obstinate, and unthinking attachment to one's views, party, or religion. It is heedless of truth, flouts the obligation to treat one's fellow man with sympathy and love, and is highly disruptive of social unity. Bigotry involves powerful emotions, thus is easy to incite. It stems from various causes, often begun at home, developed in school, and maintained by the media and governmental laws.

Bigotry represents a conscious individual decision to repudiate the personal morals and core social values that are the foundation for a civilised society.