The most critical issues for reducing discrimination and prejudice in society are mutual respect and multiculturalism. While maintaining a level of personal freedom so long as it does not infringe upon the freedom of others is critical both on a personal and societal level in general for a harmonious cultural environment in any location, this must apply to the areas of race and religion across various ethnic groups as much as any other area. The stubborn notion that one’s personal belief systems are the only possible ones which can be “correct” must be reduced or at least not presented in a way which infringes on others, while multiculturalism through globalization and other means of exposure will likely provide its own conditions for exposure. At this point it will be up to the people to spread awareness and tolerance to avoid discrimination and prejudice.
Multiculturalism will eventually lead to the reduction of discriminatory and prejudice in our society. Most improper and incorrect views of other cultures and races is the result of stigmatization which is never disproven due to the segregation of the country and the overall lack of opportunity for people to realize the truth about other groups. Religious differences have played some role in this as well, although it is more common for religions to have tolerance for others. The increase of technology now also allows for better communication overall, which allows people to see other cultures and races and thus realize what is true and what is not true about them. This general caters to the dissolving of general stereotypes and other causes for discrimination and prejudice.
A variety of larger social structural circumstances as well as personal ones will cater to the reduction of discrimination and prejudice. One such circumstance that is becoming more common is the interracial marriage. These marriages play a strong role in equality for a number of reasons. First, they put two people of different backgrounds in a family setting full of love, while often resulting in children. Secondly, they create conditions so that other family members and friends of the family become familiar with each other. If prejudice views existed before the relationship they have the strong potential to be reduced as these people will be exposed to each other in such a way that they will see the truth and with any luck will be able to see past their prejudices or reasons for discrimination.
The people involved closely to the marriage will also be more likely to eliminate discrimination they hear in others in their social lives while being able to offer proof to the contrary of any harmful stereotyping or slanderous discrimination. The children of such marriages will also act in this way socially while being a mix of both groups and thus catering to equality. Another circumstance catering to multiculturalism and thus the breaking of prejudice and discriminatory barriers are the diversity quotas in universities and the workplace. In such circumstances different groups become exposed to each other in a team environment, and often in a positive light generating the same general results as any other group, as a result revealing the true nature of equality while not allowing for untrue stereotypes to continue to manifest.
The globalization of the world combined with technology will ultimately be the downfall of prejudice and discrimination. While a mentality that tolerates or even appreciates difference is required for this to be optimally successful, while stereotypes are disregarded and only personal experience be used in perspective, as the world merges these boundaries will fall. The truth will be realized in this manner and the less stubborn prejudiced people are, the easier and more harmonious this merging will be.