Which Scenario Best Exemplifies Discrimination Based on the Person's Physical

question 16

Multiple Choice

Which scenario best exemplifies discrimination based on the person's physical abilities?

• A) Katie is a 39-year-old Mexican American who lives with her girlfriend, and is 4'7" tall. She applies for the position of Head Librarian in the Library of Congress. Despite her excellent qualifications, she is told that she isn't right for the job because she cannot reach the highest shelves in the library.
• B) Chrissie is 58-years-old, and her face is scarred from a car accident. She has worked for 20 years at Boston Legal and has developed a reputation as one of the most talented attorneys in her firm. Chrissie has never been promoted, but has watched several less-experienced male colleagues become partners in her firm.
• C) Ji-Long was born in China, is 48-years-old and has lived in New York City for 20 years. He is gay, legally married, and walks with a slight hunch. While processing his personal file in order to get his passport renewed, the window clerk kept referring to Ji-Long as "Oriental man."
• D) Harbhajan is a devout Sikh from Chandigarh who is 6'7" tall. He wears a turban, has long hair and a beard, and wears a religious kara (Sikh steel bangle). While boarding a flight in Newark airport, he sees people staring and commenting on what kind of faith would compel a man to wear a turban and bangles.

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Definitions:

Homo Sapiens Sapiens

The scientific name for modern humans, emphasizing our species as the most recent development in human evolution.

Nonhuman Primate Beginnings

The evolutionary origins and development of primates other than humans, key to understanding human evolution and biological heritage.

Lumpers and Splitters

Terms used to describe the practice of categorizing information or objects broadly (lumpers) versus categorizing them into many precise, smaller categories (splitters).

Homo Habilis

An extinct species of early human that lived approximately 2.1 to 1.5 million years ago, known for being among the first makers of stone tools.