Classism refers to the systematic oppression of subordinated groups to the advantage of dominant

groups and is based on social class. Systematic oppression here includes individual attitudes, behaviors,
policies, and practices that are set up to benefit those in the upperclass (rich) at the expense of those in
the lower class (poor). Classism often results in the widening gap between the rich and the poor, with
the former enjoying more privileges in life, while the latter wallowing in grinding poverty. An obvious
manifestation of classism is seeing the poor as unclean, uneducated, and uncivilized. More often than
not, the poor people are also solely blamed for remaining poor without realizing how society is unjustly
structured, which exploits them and keeps them

Racism refers to the systematic oppression based on race or ethnicity. Systematic oppression here
includes a host of practices, beliefs, and social relations that turn humans into stereotyped objects,
which reproduce a racial stratification or racially structured society. Such stratification is based on the
belief that race is the sole determinant of human traits and capabilities. Because of this belief, other
races are seen to be inherently inferior to others in terms of intellect, social relations, and culture.
Racism is often expressed when we joke around or laugh at people whose skin is of darker color, or
when we associate those whiter or fairer complexion as more beautiful or more intelligent than those
with darker complexion.

Sexism is the belief and practice that one’s sex is innately superior to the other. Sexism views males as
more superior than females. Women are usually seen as physically weak, emotionally unstable, and
intellectually inferior. This leads to unequal distribution of wealth, power, and prestige in which men
gain the upper hand at the expense of women. Sexism is often manifested in cases of sexual
harassment, when women are not allowed to choose a partner they want to marry, or when they are
seen as fragile and weak so as to justify the practice of chivalry.

Gender bias refers to the systematic oppression of any sex-and intersex and transgender people
because of nonconformity to the expected gender stereotypes attached to one’s sex. This means that if
a man or woman does not conform to masculine or feminine expectations, respectively, then they are
denied equal treatment in terms of dignity and rights. Those who experience gender bias are usually the
lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transsexuals (LGBT).

Ageism pertains to prejudice and discrimination based on differences in age. Usually, the children and
the elderly are subordinated to the middle-aged, who belong to the dominant age category. In such a
case, children are considered as properties at the disposal of adults, and are seen to exist only in order
to serve, honor, and obey the adults. On the other hand, the elderly are often seen as weak, obsolete,
and useless members of society who have nothing more substantial to contribute.

Disability bias refers to the unequal treatment and systematic oppression of a group of persons based
on their physical or mental impairments or challenges. Because of their inability to cope with the rest,
they are deemed useless. Those who experience disability bias are persons with disabilities (PWDs),
including those with intellectual disabilities (e.g., Down syndrome and developmental delays), physical
disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, spina bifida), sensory
disabilities (e.g., blindness, deafness, autism), and mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar,
depression, bulimic, anorexic). Persons with disabilities are often laughed at, barred from entering
school, and denied of employment.

Ideological bias refers to the intense commitment to certain religious, political, or philosophical ideas
that results in the oppressive dismissal of other ideas. Such bias curtails other people’s freedom of
expression and speech, especially when not aligned to a group’s favored ideology. Ideological bias is
manifested when a certain religious or political regime imprisons, ostracizes, or tortures people who
express views contrary to that of the ruling regime.

The aforementioned forms of discrimination and social exclusion are either directly or indirectly
experienced by many people in the world. One might be a victim or even a perpetrator of it. As long as
such types of discrimination exist, social injustice will prevail in society.

Unjust Forms of Social Inequalities

Unjust forms of social inequalities refer to the denial of human rights of individuals based on the
perception of their inferiority by those with more power, wealth, and prestige (Dilworth-Anderson,
Pierre, and Hilliard 2012; Levy and Sidel 2009). The denial of human rights is expressed in the following
forms of discrimination and social exclusion: