Should We Just Ignore Discrimination?

You know how sometimes a person says the right thing and you’d wish they’d just stop talking, but they don’t and then they really put their foot in it? That’s how I feel about Isobel Redmond.

At a women’s leadership luncheon in Adelaide last week, the opposition leader said women facing sexual discrimination in the workplace should just ignore it and focus on their jobs, ABC News reported.

I think that does more to break down the barriers of the sorts of people who would subject you to discrimination.

In 40 years in the law, I’d have to say that by and large, those who avoid the legal path often are better off.

Redmond said that the legal approach is likely to entrench hatred of women and that the discrimination will just disappear.

I kind of understand what Redmond is talking about. Marginalized people such as women, minorities, and GLBT people often face discrimination in the workplace and we have to  pick our battles. Sometimes we ignore and sometimes we fight. Redmond appears to agree that some behaviors merit legal actions.

Sexual harassment and bullying are different from the sort of gender discrimination I was talking about.

I think there’s different aspects of bullying and sexual harassment that may well mean you need to take action and use the law.

Unfortunately, either she didn’t expound or the news sites didn’t report it. Nevertheless, some of the greatest changes in American society such as women’s suffrage and outlawing racial discrimination have come about through protesting and legal actions. Maybe some things don’t merit legal action, but is ignoring the only and best alternative?

So, what do you think? When, if ever, should we ignore discrimination, and when should we take legal measures?

About the image: By ABC Radio

(via Mamamia)