Name the six forms of prejudice that Brislin discusses and illustrate each with a South Africa example;
1. Red-neck racism - a typical form of this prejudice is Julius Malema's perceptions and verbal onslaught against white Afrikaner South Africans. Recently, Malema, J. (2010) stated that the white Afrikaners do not participate in anything that is of national importance. This very similar to the red-neck situation in the USA where certain white communities totally oppose equal opportunities for the native red Indians.
2. Tokenism - one could construe that Affirmative Action, in Section 15 of the Employment Act of 1998, is a form of tokenism which in essence is a framework for qualified people from designated groups to have equal employment opportunities. In addition the introduction of the Employment Equity Act of 1998 can be seen as a form of tokenism to appease the previously disadvantage groups. See comment above
3. Arms length - as a manager I try and behave the same towards my staff regardless of the surroundings and/or event. I.e. friendly and open and I treat them with the respect that they deserve. On the contrary my direct superior who is a white male of Portuguese decent, is totally different which, his behavior and/or attitude, in my opinion is a form of prejudice . At social and/or formal gatherings or events he does not acknowledge any of his staff that is on a lower level than him and hence he keeps them at 'arms length'. (My team consists of 80% young black South Africans). I find this form of prejudice unacceptable, and I am of the opinion that this generally happens in most organisations.
4. Real-likes and dislikes - I like most managers in my organsiaiton, dislike the fact that young black South Africans tend to hold a conversation in very load manner regardless of where they are. We all have likes and dislikes and hence this does not mean that I do not like black South Africans.
5. Symbolic racism - I am of the opinion that racism exist in our everyday life. A prime example is that in my organisation all the staff canteens do not serve any pork products and the kitchens/canteens buy halaal and kosher products. The perception is that this is because our MD who is Muslim and some senior directors who are Jewish and Muslim. This has resulted in the Christians harboring negative feelings towards Muslims and Jews because of the food limitations at work which in essence interferes with their culture.