# data[].attributes.body
Finland's population has diversified a lot in the last decade, and while there is still some controversy surrounding the topic, I think that it has no negative effect in our culture. Some conservative and old people think that humanitarian immigration should be stopped in Finland. There is ethnic segregation in the biggest cities in Finland, for example Eastern Helsinki has more immigrant families than Espoo. But overall, Finland sets a good example on how foreign people and minorities should be treated.

# data[].attributes.body
Since its founding, the United States has essentially functioned on the mistreatment and marginalization of specific groups.

America’s history (and present) is chock full of racism and the marginalization of racial/ethnic groups. Racial groups, especially African-Americans, have continually fought against the racist systems this country was founded on that seeks to oppress them. Discrimination is seeped into the very soul of our country and engulfs every aspect of it, like jobs, education, healthcare, and media. Sometimes (most of the time) racism isn’t as “overt”, and this most commonly manifests itself as microaggressions and stereotypes that our society and media just love to spread.

But racial/ethnic groups are not the only marginalized groups in this country. Women, the disabled, and the LGBTQ+ community have been continually discriminated against. As much as this country loves to portray itself as “the land of the free”, it really only applies to one specific group: white, cisgender, straight men.

In the past, there has been a distinct lack of intersectionality between these marginalized groups. However, this is trying to be amended as people attempt to band these groups together to advocate for equality and fair treatment for all of them. While I am privileged to live in this country, I find the continued treatment of these groups appalling, and so I strongly support the idea that everyone no matter race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexuality, etc. need to be treated equally.

# data[].attributes.headline
Damon Nguyen, USA, Boston, Massachusetts 

# data[].attributes.subject
Damon Nguyen, USA, Boston, Massachusetts 

# data[].attributes.body
In America, the concept is that everybody is free and has equal opportunity. This is simply untrue as many American ways of thinking goes against this. Culturally, people of color and immigrants are treated differently. There are many stereotypes and connotations in which living in America as one of the said groups carry. Disadvantages vary from systemic racism to chances of opportunity. Generally, in America those who are wealthy are privileged. Specifically with race, white people are more advantaged due to a culmination of history and societal standards. Being a person of color and white are opposite spectrums. Although there are some areas who are liberal, there is still a large population of close minded or racist people. This can be seen with all those who still support Trump, this variety in the population leads to substantially different ways of life and treatment depending on where you live. With that said, even in the more liberal parts of the country, people of color are still not treated as equals to their white counterparts. Of course I think everybody should be treated equal no matter their: race, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
America like most of the world was set up with a norm ever since the colonists set foot into these lands. For centuries the "perfect" society has been curated, but it's completely flawed. People are treated less than because of race, 🤬/sexuality, income, religion, and opinions. Minorities isn't a literal term because they dominate the country in population. So many people are being marginalized because the writers of our history have told society that they are worthless and have been since the beginning of time. These people that are marginalized are the same that formed America to be what it is through hard work. These people need to be treated with respect or at least as a human being.

# data[].attributes.body
our country, malaysia we have a powerful rules . human rights is important to us in malaysia because it describes the harmony of the people in this country. we have various types of ethnic populations, even we have a difference religious and ethnic we were treated well regardless of race. How about marginalized populations? we all are born in one nation even we have a marginalized populations we are well treated by our people as well as our kings. but some of this groups who cannot be entertained by society and goverment is indigenous people because they live in the interior of the forest. . And i think everyone deserves to be treated equally regardless of race and religion.

# data[].attributes.body
in every society there must be disparity in everything starting from income disparity to enjoying rights. These categories are well known, for example in my country those who are wealthy, have a status in politics, and western foreigners have different and better rights than the poor class, Syrian refugees, and Palestinian refugees... poor people cant own many things due to their low income which preventing them from some rights limiting their privilege . Palestinians cant own lands nor build houses or companies to invest for better future. Nevertheless, Syrian refugees are worse than Palestinian refugees whos their rights are cut in half...its really frustrating and furious when you think about it, the government doesn't care about fixing the disparity among the citizens and those who we are helping. There is a simple method that can help fix this catastrophe among us  but only if the government assists...They can simply reduce the taxes for poor people and increase it for rich people(i doubt it will work since rich people in my country are so greedy they can simply revolt cuz they rule the country indirectly with their money)and they can reduce taxes on upgoing companies hoping they will grow in future and increasing taxes for strong and big companies....What A Preposterous Act This is...

# data[].attributes.body
I am blessed to be born into a country where we have certain rights and privileges already given to us from birth. However, some aren't as lucky as me. Even in this country you see hundreds of homeless people on the streets that are just ignored. I think that each state has different laws or rules that others don't and sometimes they are better than what we have and sometimes they are worse. I know that in other countries some are treated infinitely worse either because of backgrounds or wealth. In the U.S. there is even some different privileges given to other who have different levels. For instance if you only have a high school education level or lower you are less likely to get a job because you are less qualified.
In other countries I know that places in Africa are less privileged in ways of medical service, technology, and even water accessibility. They are almost cut off from society and live in what some would call medieval ways that are simply natural for their culture. But when disaster strikes, because it always does, these people are left out to die and no help in sight. I think that no matter where you are or what your culture is or how much money you have... everyone should be able to have access to and get the basic requirements of life including medical help, food, and clean water. NO MATTER WHAT.

It is a problem we very much have to work.

# data[].attributes.body
Our country, Myanmar, is a country which is currently developing right now. We have various types of ethnic groups and populations. But we're all equally treated. We altogether have nearly 135 ethnic groups.Even we have different religious,  sexual orientations and behaviors , we all are born in one nation. That's why we all are treated equally and fairly. And I also think everyone deserves to be treated equally in schools, hospitals, public areas or so on. If we all have the same attitude, we all will be treated equally and fairly.

# data[].attributes.body
Emily Araujo, San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic.

Yes, there are populations in my country that have fewer rights or are treated less fairly than others. For example social class in my country is something very controversial. Some people don’t have the same privilege to have a job even if they graduated from the same college, if you don’t have political relations you are less likely to have a job, this is not in every occasion boy it happens very often. Also people with dark skin are sometimes discriminated in their jobs, schools, college, etc even though the population in my country are 49% African, 39% European, and 4% pre-Colombian.

# data[].attributes.body
Morocco is a country that is divided into two social classes. Rich people, who leave without a problem, have everything they want, get so much respect...
But there the other classes who is the contrary to the last one. They have fewer right and the country don't treat him very well. When you see homeless kids in the streets who don't even have good clothes to  covers his body, sitting in front of the mosque waiting for some  peace of bread. That the government should take care of him, they just don't care. But thanks god there's a lot of nice people here taking care of everyone that need something, we don't wait for the government to do something about them we help however the case was, we are  the  same human helping there brothers/sisters.

# data[].attributes.body
MINHA UMAY,KERALA,INDIA

India is a country which is known to be very cultural throughout the world.However,the culture rooted deep in the country also has various problems.We are a country that has a prevalent problem of casteism.During the early times,the villages were segregated on the basis of their caste.For instance,the highest caste never touched anything which belonged to a person of lower caste.We like to say caste discrimination is not present in new India,but it is,especially in rural areas.Furthermore,intercast marriage is considered such a taboo.It is almost a crime to marry someone you love from the other caste.while the people in urban areas broadened their thinking,rural ones still have not.The villagers still do not believe in this concept and it also gives rise to honor killings.

Another problem is gender inequality.Although Indian constitution grants men and women equal rights,gender disparities remain.Violence against women's are increasing in India.As a girl,it's really heartbreaking when we here about 🤬 cases, how brutal it is...🤬 cases mostly happens in rural areas,and uneducated victims family compromise over money,because they don't want media attention.
Marriage at a young age is also a problem for many women's,where they get married at 18 or 19!!There is a discussion going on to rise the marriage age to 21 for both men and women.It will be great if they rise the marriage age.Many girls get to study!!
The practice of dowry is illegal in India,but it still remains in rural areas,where the bride's parents gift cash,gold or cars to groom's family.Thankfully,this system is changing because girls don't allow their parents to give dowry.This dowry practice lowers the status of women and leads to domestic violence and even death.This is a great burden to lower class and middle class families.
Speaking against caste discrimination,proper punishments to criminals,bride saying NO to dowry and parents knowing the importance of education can lower the impact of these problems.

# data[].attributes.body
Boston,and the United States overall, is known for being very liberal, but both have prejudice just below the surface. Personally, there are facts about myself and my family that could make people very prejudiced against us, facts that I hide until I know I can trust the people I am with. Many marginalized peoples do not have this oppurtunity, as the things that make them marginalized are visually obvious. Because of this I ave immense priviliege, but it my ability to recognize that privilege that I think seperates my mentaity from that of many others in my city and cuntry. I am very aware of the marginalized people, and try to do my best ith my own privilege to help them have their voices be heard.

# data[].attributes.body
The United States takes pride in being one of the most diverse countries in the world. Our country is far from ethnically homogenous, due to a long history of immigration to our continent. However, over the course of American history, various groups of people have been left at the disadvantaged end of society. In fact, nearly every single non-white ethnic group has been subject to some form of persecution, and even groups considered within the “white” subcategory have been victims as well due to their speific cultural identity or religion (Irish, Quakers, etc.) However, when the matter of severe racial injustice is brought up within the US, this predominantly refers to the experiences of Black Americans and Americans of Latinx or Hispanic heritage. These two American demographics have long-standing histories of facing challenges within the country, linking back to the American era of slavery as well as the conquest of former areas of Mexico. In fact, a large amount of cultural perception for these groups comes from the legacies of those eras - freed slaves in the post Civil-War era had difficulties finding jobs, and often fell into a state of poverty; former citizens of Mexico left over in the United States were looked down upon by their newfound conquers. While large groups of immigrants did move to the United States after this era, most notably the influx of Asian-Americans, statistics show that Black and Latinx Americans continue to be most affected by poverty, while other ethnic groups are less so, but still face separate issues.  In my opinion, the historical causes behind advantages and disadvantages of ethnic groups continue to be present today in the overall cultural perceptions or lifestyles. We in the United States need to start to understand why we unknowingly hold and perpetuate these negative mindsets, and as time passes we can hope for a more equitable future that negates the effects of history.

(Chart of US Poverty Rates by Ethnicity)

# data[].attributes.body
Although the United States is regarded as a widely diverse country, there are still many populations that are faced with inequality and even racism. Whether it be due to their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, beliefs, etc. many groups are disrespected and are treated as lesser. To give a direct example, minorities have a long history of being mistreated when it comes to societal and job opportunities.

In terms of populations that are more privileged, white people (more specifically white males) have the greatest advantages. On the other hand, people of color are generally much more suppressed and many times do not receive the same treatment as privileged populations. We can see this in something as simple as human and individual rights. People of color continue to experience injustice with the current systems and widespread beliefs that are in place. And it isn’t just people of color that are treated differently, women, the LGBTQ community, people who follow certain religions, and many more are at a constant disadvantage in today’s society.

Everyone should be treated equally, and through certain movements we are slowly trying to work towards that goal. We shouldn’t be handing out certain advantages and disadvantages due to someones differences.

# data[].attributes.headline
Asja Č, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Sarajevo

# data[].attributes.subject
Asja Č, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Sarajevo

# data[].attributes.body
Again, I need to address this this problem with reference to the fact that BiH is a post-conflict country (the consequences on our nations mentality are severe, so you can't really comment on any aspect of our lives without bringing this up). Anyway, after the war, our country had been divided into two federations - The Federation of BiH and The Republic of Srpska. This division is still in power and it just adds onto the problem of nationalism in our country (our nation wrongly associates nationalism with religion and this is the core of inequality in Bosnia; when asked what's your nationality, you can only answer either a Bosniak (Muslim), a Croat (Catholic) or Serb (Orthodox) even if we all LIVE and were born in BOSNIA). Thus, we have three presidents and an ongoing mentality that we need to hate each other. Overall, the percentage of Muslims and Christians is very close (almost 50:50), however, there are towns where the majority are either one or another. Sarajevo, for example, is mostly Muslim, but since it is the capital, as a tourist you can't really see that there is any discrimination. However, a very common problem is discrimination in schools. If your class is mostly Muslim and you have a Christian name, you will most likely be bullied, by both professors and classmates. The same goes for the opposite scenario. And that is a problem that I fear cannot be fixed. Our parents are like this and they pass it on to their kids. Our government is like this and they brainwash our nation even more. The ones who oppose this nationalistic and discriminatory point of view are called "one of them" or "haters of our country". Bosnia does not have many minorities, but one of the biggest ones is the Romani population, who feel discrimination on their skin daily. From bullying in schools, to physical violence outside of it, the fact that they often get rejected when they come to vote, they even get prohibitions from entering certain public places and the government does not do anything regarding this. Our LGBTQ+ community is very small, however the discrimination (based on religion) they go through is severe. Again, nothing done by the government. Women... Women were traditionally the one's that stayed at home to bring up children and that is sadly one more thing implemented in our nations minds. There is very little women out in the public sector and if there is one, she is laughed at and ridiculed with comments like "what is this WOMAN talking about - someone show her the kitchen"... This is the sad reality we live in, and try to fight, but there is long road ahead of us.

# data[].attributes.body
Here in Ecuador, almost all indigenous communities have faced certain problems when it comes to equality. Most Ecuadorians view indigenous people as a lower class or as people who don't deserve the same respect. Although we are always told that we are the same no matter who we identify ourselves as, there has always been a different treatment for indigenous people. This issue has also been seen in afro descendant communities. Currently, we are in the middle of political campaigns and we are very close to elections. Unlike the US, the candidates are not seperated by political parties and each candidate must win over as many provinces as he/she can. I have only lived here in Ecuador for about 3 years but in my time here, I've already seen how most candidates for any politial position have used to their advantage the fact that the people living in the countryside or indigeous people don't have the same privileges as people living in the city. The candidates normally offer what these people need most in order to win votes. These things normally include the construccion of medical facilities, schools, etc. Most of the time, these things aren't even done once that certain candidate is elected. With every election, more and more people are drawn by these promises and this really concerns me. This year, there is an idigenous candidate running for president who has made really convincing points and hopefully if that candidate wins, this country will have the chance at a better future.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mehedi Hasan Shishir, Gazipur, Bangladesh. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Mehedi Hasan Shishir, Gazipur, Bangladesh. 

# data[].attributes.body
Bangladesh is a land of non-communal and this is our pride. Our government actually tried her best to give us her best service but you know our country is a populous country and over population is our main obstacle. Basically I think our street children, lack of shelter and food makes them forget about their lives’ safety. During the two-month lockdown beginning at the end of March, the streets became all theirs. But the children had nothing for survival around this time when such children needed support the most. And grew in number in search of livelihood in Dhaka city as well as divisional city.
Homeless amid pandemic, is there any hope for street children?
"We could not receive new children in order to keep residents safe from the virus,"
The main objectives were to rescue street children, reintegrate them into their families, if found, and rehabilitate them.
"Whatever the number of street children was before the pandemic, it must have gone up as financial hardships struck poor families. In some instances, an entire family with children took shelter on the streets,"
Street children doubly vulnerable amid shutdown.They still collect scraps and stock them at the salvage store, but the shop owner does not pay them now."We also dream of a better life like other children. But how?
I think every city corporation should have a children's rights protection committee. And our government and also the whole world should take care of street children, poor.

# data[].attributes.body
In Turkey altough there have been conflicts with people for past years we haven't been facing that much of discrimination on minorities and LGBTQ+ community recently and especially in these times because people seem to understand the worth of human life, and starting to emphatize more day by day. But as Zeynep mentioned the biggest issue we face is domestic violence in our country that is mostly on women, she did a good summary of the whole situation so you should give her a read if you have the time.

# data[].attributes.body
In the United States, cis white males benefit most from the system while many groups such as the LGBTQ+, BIPOC (and more specifically the Black and Latino communities), women, and immigrants are treated less fairly.

Despite gay marriage being legalized in 2015, there is a lot that still needs to happen for the LGBTQ+ community as trans people cannot serve in the military and can be refused service at hospitals. Furthermore, many businesses can also refuse service to LGBTQ+ due to religious or any personal reason. These are forms of discrimination. This intersects with the marginalization of BIPOC, as black trans women are more likely to have received violence or be killed.

The black community has arguably been the most disadvantaged in the United States and many of the inequalities still exist today. This can be scene in redlining, police brutality, and even implicit bias. There is still a lot that needs to be done to fix these systemic and social inequalities that black people must face on a day to day basis. They are disadvantaged for simply existing.

Women have traditionally been seen as an unequal to men and this mentality still remains. In multiple job industries, women are often paid less and have lower positions than men. Abortion rights are being argued, that women should not have the right to conduct a safe abortion because some believe that killing babies is immoral. However, this ultimately strips the woman from any freedom she has of her old body. Women also live in the fear of any acts of violence when walking at night. This relates back to the intersectionality and how black trans women are more likely to receive violence or be murdered.

And even if many of these marginalized groups receive the systemic change that is long overdue, many of the implicit bias will remain, probably for years to come and the discriminatory social environment will continue to plague these communities.

# data[].attributes.body
In the US, all citizens are supposed to be treated equally under the law (at least for the most part). Sadly just because the laws may not show clear signs of causing inequalities, the US is definitely not a meritocracy. Protests all around the country, and world, against police brutality and for black lives matter shows that there is a discrepancy between the treatment of white and black Americans in the US. White Americans are privileged in this sense, while black Americans are disadvantaged. There shouldn't be this distinction in the US, we (in the general sense of the US) should not be treating  black  Americans differently than how we treat and view white Americans. Yet, it isn't as simple as just treating everyone as equals, because even then there still exists the history of racial injustice that still affects us, such as redlining and the school to prison pipeline which continues to hold back the disadvantaged. Equality is not the same as equity, and equity is what America should be striving for. In order to get there, major changes in taxes, educational, income, housing, and governance need to occur in over to begin to level the playing field for everyone.

But there isn't just a racial inequality in the US, rather there is a advantaged and disadvantaged side to every aspect of our identities, whether that be gender, race, heritage, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political identity, economic status, or any other. Some have a greater affect than others, but the reality is none of them should affect how prevailed or unprivileged someone is. No one can say for sure how we could get to an America without privileged and unprivileged populations, as one cannot exist without the other. But by trying to respect everyone, regardless of what population(s) they belong to, each of us can work on making an America that lacks discrimination.

# data[].attributes.headline
Andy Montrose, USA, Boston, Massachusetts

# data[].attributes.subject
Andy Montrose, USA, Boston, Massachusetts

# data[].attributes.body
Here in the United States of America everyone is supposed to be equal.  Everyone is supposed to have the same rights and privileges as everyone else. But that has never happened since America’s founding in 1776. America is supposed to be the world’s example for what freedom looks like but there are people here who will never be free. America is supposed to grant everyone equal protection under the law but there are people who have never been treated fairly. Minorities aren’t treated equally and are sometimes persecuted by law enforcement just because of the color of their skin.

In America advantaged populations are often white people. This is referred to as “White Privilege”. Many American laws and policies have been enacted for them to succeed. America was built by white straight men for other white straight men. This to white privilege through centuries of minority suffering. While African slaves were being worked to death and Native Americans were being viewed as animals, some white people in this country have reaped the benefits and are still reaping the benefits today. And the Native Americans and African American populations, because of what happened to them, have no privilege and have been disadvantaged from the start.

These disadvantaged populations: Native Americans, African Americans, and other groups like the LGBTQ+ community have been looked down upon for centuries. They were hated because of who they love and enslaved because of the color of their skin. They were pushed into communities and were left there with nothing. No good housing, no nutritious food, and not even good schools. They are treated without respect or care for their wellbeing. These disadvantaged populations are suffering while the privileged population is still benefiting from past actions. This isn’t equality. This is discrimination. Everyone should have the same chance at success as the next person. Everyone should have access to good schools and healthy food. It is ridiculous these things depend on the color of a person’s skin.

# data[].attributes.body
In the US, we are still trying to combat the effects that slavery has on our society. Many systems within our government have been built upon the unjust ideologies such as racism, sexism, and homophobia.

Right now the Black Lives Matter movement is going strong. Many people risk their lives by protesting in the streets during this pandemic to show just how much our government needs drastic changes.

The average working woman is only paid around 3/4 of what the average working man makes. Even though we have laws set in place against workplace discrimination based on sexism and racism, these are still problems that we need to find solutions for.

We also have our LGBTQ+ population. As of now, our country has marriage equality, but we have many people in higher positions in our government who want to undo this. There also aren't many laws set in place to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community in the US. There have been instances where people, where because of their sexual orientation, have been turned away by businesses legally because it "went against their religious beliefs".

In a perfect world we wouldn't have any of these issues. I believe that everyone should be treated with equal respect, and right now the US isn't doing a great job of that.

# data[].attributes.body
Cis-heterosexual white males that are able-bodied and neurotypical (though the latter is not recognized as a word in the dictionary) would be labeled as the most a privileged group on the basis that there has been no institutionalized disadvantages at any point in their history.

This doesn’t mean that they can’t be economically disadvantaged, which of course has an effect because anyone coming from a low-income group family is at a disadvantage especially when we look to see how this manifests in the sectors of education, housing and overall quality of life especially as the economic class disparities continue into the extremes.

However, those who deny privilege choose to ignore the dehumanization of indigenous people and black people throughout the United States’ history. . . today an entire new culture has been created by black people because their ancestors’ specific identities had been stripped away, since most today can’t trace their lineage back to a specific country. Indigenous people have to have proof of their own heritage to satisfy the government’s citizenship requirements when it was their lands that were taken from them. Women have been subjected to sexism, objectification, domestic violence, the wage gap, and it’s still unfathomable to me to think that it’s only been 5 years since we’ve legalized same-🤬 marriage nationwide for the LGBTQ+ community and we’re still arguing over whether transgender people have the right to use the restroom of their gender. Then there’s been racial discrimination of many Latin and Hispanic communities and labeling the their entire group as ‘immigrants’ when we as a country are all immigrants in one way or another. . . same is applicable to Asian-Americans today.

Yet we’re still amidst dismantling the disadvantages for these marginalized groups that’ve been set up by the founders of this country. . . and it’s even harder that we become a sort of a dog-eat-dog society and formulate prejudices all against each other where the prioritization of intersectionality so it’s not a ‘who-has-it-worst’ game, and we are able to acknowledge all the problems regarding unequal societal dynamics that plague our country today.

# data[].attributes.body
Inequality is definitely widespread in America, but because it manifests in the systems and in cycles which perpetuates inequality, it might not seem obvious at first. It’s no surprise that America has always been primarily built for white cis-gender heterosexual male Americans, with an emphasis on the rich and the elite, first and foremost, with every other group based on gender, sexuality, and ethnic identity cast aside.

Historically, laws and attitudes lean towards a sexist, racist, homophobic, xenophobic, etc attitude, which is unfortunately a common theme around the world. Anti-immigration sentiments did not come up once or twice but is a continuity all throughout history and up through the modern day. These laws and attitudes still have large ramifications in today’s society, though many might argue otherwise.

I would love to delve into every single group that I think is disadvantaged and all the human rights and inequality issues that America is currently is dealing with, but it’s unfortunately not that feasible to do, not to sure mention the differences and similarities between region to region, state to state, and county and county. Doing so would take maybe a whole paper to try and do it justice.

The biggest take away is that many of these disadvantaged groups such as women, people of color, believers of certain religions, being in the LGBTQ+ community, etc, deal with prejudice, stereotypes, implicit bias, and of course, the systems in which our society runs on.  Many groups are more likely to be born into poverty, go back into poverty, incarcerated, apprehended by police, liable to violence and sexual violence, lack access to resources, more liable to health problems, turned away from housing, be deported, and more. Intersectionality is also very important to think about, as, for example, black trans women are more likely to be murdered, be homeless, face unemployment, and more.

Also, it’s important to never categorize a person based on these obstacles, each person is unique and each person is much more than what they faced or what they didn’t face. Each person’s circumstances are also unique and not everyone in a group can relate to each other perfectly.

I think in our current situation, we shouldn’t look at everything with a “color-blind” or a whatever blind lens because many people disproportionately  face issues purely because of their skin color, origin, and identity, and we need to make sure how and why that exactly happens instead of ignoring that it’s a thing. We need to find solutions and elicit changes that can permanently change things for better, rather than putting bandaids on a leaking boat.

# data[].attributes.body
There are many different populations within the United States that have fewer rights and are treated less fairly. Often, this discrimination is deeply rooted within the laws, systems, and in some cases, the people of our country. For example, racial minorities, especially Native Americans, Latinx and African Americans, are in many ways disadvantaged. These populations face inequities within educational opportunity, economic opportunity, housing, and representation in government. Women also face disadvantages in the form of gender stereotypes, lack of government representation, and more. Lastly, the LGBTQ+ faces issues including marriage rights. Not only are these and many other populations systematically discriminated against, but they also struggle to be fairly treated and accepted by others.

There are also groups that in some aspects are advantaged. In general, certain populations such as Asians and Caucasians tend to have more educational and economic opportunity, contributing to an achievement gap. Men also are advantaged. For example, they hold a majority of government positions.

Ideally, everyone would be treated equally regardless of their identity. People would be able to recognize and celebrate differences, however they would not be a factor in the way people are treated by other individuals or within society. While a completely equal society is challenging to obtain or even imagine, it does not mean we shouldn't strive to realize this goal. I think it is great that many people are striving for this equality, even for populations that they are not a part of, as seen through the recent social movements and protests across the United States.

# data[].attributes.headline
Rachel Roncka, USA, Boston, Massachusetts

# data[].attributes.subject
Rachel Roncka, USA, Boston, Massachusetts

# data[].attributes.body
In the United States, people face discrimination and marginalization based on aspects of their identity like race, gender, sexuality, income, and more. Our country's Founding Fathers were straight, cis-gender, white men, and that is the demographic all of our institutions are designed for. It doesn't help that most of our current government is compromised of this same demographic. We are living with the remnants of a society founded on the enslavement of Black and Indigenous people, and the exploitation and alienation of Asian, Latin, and non English speaking Americans. Although we have many laws in place to prevent discrimination, there are still significant wealth and achievement gaps, higher COVID deaths, higher incarceration rates and more among racial groups.
Women in America have seen much hard earned advancement in legal rights and the workforce over the years, but still hold much fewer leadership positions, especially in very lucrative or influential industries. Harmful gender stereotypes are still prolific, and contribute to a social culture that simultaneously shames and oversexualizes women and girls. There are still laws that prevent women from having full autonomy over their bodies. Women have also seen higher rates of job loss as a result of COVID, adding to the very real pay gap. Sexual assault and harassment still persist unpunished in person and online, and domestic violence has sky rocketed thanks to COVID and lack of adequately funded services. This is also affecting LGBTQ people and people with nontraditional gender identities, who still don't receive proper acceptance (especially in religious communities) or legal rights. Violence against them is left unprosecuted because of trans or gay panic defenses in court. Black transgender women face horrific rates of violence and murder, with an average lifespan of 35, like we are in medieval times or something. That is one example of the many unique challenges that result from the intersection of race, gender, sexuality, etc, which is why it is so important to promote intersectionality in all areas of activism.
With all this rampant inequality, it's not surprising that many Americans feel disillusioned and disappointed by our systems and nation. However, I think the fact that these issues are now so apparent and seem so pronounced is a mark of our progress as a nation. Today we are able to have these conversations and promote these issues on a national level, which is something that wouldn't have been possible a century ago. Progress has been slow and there are still far too many voices being marginalized or punished for speaking out, but I hope that we will retain this spirit of activism that 2020 seems to have sparked for many years into the future. I think that all people, regardless of how they identify racially, gender wise, etc. should be treated with fairness and respect. To do this, we can't completely ignore our differences ("post racial America"), but we must use them to identify the ways in which our systems give privilege to some and disadvantages others. This will require more extensive and inclusive education across the whole country, so that all Americans will be aware of the experiences their fellow citizens go through.

# data[].attributes.headline
Lilah Gutlerner, USA, Boston, Massachusetts 

# data[].attributes.subject
Lilah Gutlerner, USA, Boston, Massachusetts 

# data[].attributes.body
The United States was built on the basis of discrimination towards many groups of people. Although many people, including the president, try to claim that we have overcome this history, the most advantaged population in our country are by far still straight white men, preferably Christian.

Whether it is about access to education, healthcare, jobs, or housing, straight white men are much more likely to move up and succeed. However women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and especially people of color are at an extreme disadvantage in every aspect of America's society.

To this day, women still do not make the same amount of money as men, even when working the same jobs. There is an extreme culture of sexual assault in the workplace, and although the recent "me too" movement has brought a lot of the injustices to light, many women still do not receive appropriate justice in the courts.

The most blatantly disadvantaged group. in our country are people of color. Today, there has been a strong movement toward seeking justice through Black Lives Matter, but not much has been changed. In the past few months, the entire country has seen public lynchings of black people, and the killers have still not yet been held accountable. This racism and injustice goes back to the foundation of our country's history. The worldwide COVID outbreak has affected communities of color very disproportionately, largely due to the facts that they have been denied access to proper education, keeping them from high paying jobs, and forcing them to living conditions not suitable to support a global pandemic.

It is unrealistic to think that these problems, which do not even begin to cover the extent of the discrimination in the U.S., will change over night. However, all people should have access to the same level of basic human rights, and be given the resources necessary to gain the same opportunities.

# data[].attributes.body
The United States has a long history of discrimination against different types of people. While we like to believe that things have changed a lot in the United States, the reality is that they have not. People are still treated differently because of their race, religion, sexual orientation and more.

In our country, white people are “advantaged” and have more privilege than people of color, especially black people who are “disadvantaged” and “lack privilege.” People of color face systemic racism in the country and have less opportunities than white people. This inequality is evident in all aspects of life from people of color being denied opportunities, to facing blatant racism in everyday life.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community can also face much discrimination. They face discrimination from the government, as well as other citizens who refuse to accept or respect them for who they are. They are often denied the same rights straight people have, such as marriage, which was not even legalized until more recently.

I think that it is extremely important to address the systemic problems that plague our country. As a country we need to acknowledge these issues and work to change them. I think it is important that everyone has the same opportunities and chances to thrive in our country, and currently that is not the case.

# data[].attributes.body
Although there is not so much racial discrimination in Turkey, violence, and discrimination against women and the LGBTQ+ community is too much to ignore. About 200 women died I saw during the COVID-19 period. And the cause of these deaths was absurd, such as a woman getting a divorce from her husband. There have been 117,192 cases of domestic violence in the past seven months, a 34% decrease from 2019. These cases heartbreakingly show the rates of violence against women in my society, and the culprits of these incidents can go to court in formal dress and receive a "good behavior" discount. The way the Queer community gets behaved is worse than these, but they are few examples because people now prefer to live in secret or immigrate abroad rather than come out. Usually, when someone does come out, their family calling them f** and indirectly, he practices both physical and mental physics. Sadly, in my country, these people don't have rights. So, legally, their sexual orientation is ignored. In recent years, we have also seen cases of police going home and killing trans people for no reason, and pride marches being considered "terrorist acts."

# data[].attributes.body
Although a lot of our leaders in the past and in the present have chosen to ignore blatant inequalities that are evident throughout our societal culture, The United States is no  exception when it comes to exclusion and discrimination of certain demographic groups. In terms of race, white people, who are the majority and disproportionately hold the most power, have hidden advantages and privileges that have been woven into our social construct since the foundings of our country. Women are also faced with higher obstacles than their male counterparts due in part to a long history of government overreach when it comes to surveillance over women's bodies and choices. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are also marginalized against, as well as members of immigrant groups because of the large undercurrent of xenophobia.

Some examples of blatant discrimination in the US are persistently evident to this day. Over the past couple of months, we have seen black people being killed in essentially what are state sanctioned lynchings. We have deep racial inequities when it comes to the economic and medical crises that are compounded by the COVID pandemic. Theses are all results of a system that has only looked out for those with already built in advantages. Because of the deep rooted construct of white superiority that is embedded through all of global society (due in large part to European imperialism and expansion), the American healthcare and criminal justice systems remain unequal on the basis of race. Black people make up a disproportionate amount of our incarcerated population when compared to their overall percentage in our population, and have a higher chance of  living with out health insurance. Societal structures and state sponsored discrimination are all in the mix here, although a lot of the time the US government deflects from its own wrong doings.

# data[].attributes.body
Despite all we've learned about our social progress and our rights in American, it is no secret that there are populations in our country who are treated less fairly and who "lack privilege," whether this is due to history of oppression and biases existing government structures, or due to our own individual prejudices.

Immigrant populations, for instance, have faced significant barriers in America, particularly if they are not white and do not have English as their native language. Through Trump's surgence in politics during these recent years, xenophobia has been a blatant issue in his rhetoric and his goals in legislature. Trump wishes to abolish birthright citizenship, increase the complexity of the citizenship test, and separate immigrant families and subject them to horrific conditions at the hands of ICE. I think we need to remember our country is supposed to value diversity, and not judge people to be dangerous or incompetent because they are not "Western" enough.

Besides evidence of xenophobia, there is blatant discrimination against African Americans whose ancestors might've lived here for centuries. In America, they are disadvantaged in almost every facet of life, whether based on income inequality, redlined neighborhoods, social implicit bias, police brutality and criminalization, employment, education, representation, etc. I think more radical reform is necessary, and we have to treat the needs of Black people seriously, as they've been forced to compromise on their rights for far too long.

And the last (of many more) populations I want to address is of the LGBTQ+ community. While there's been progress with Pride celebrations, members of the LGBTQ+ community are treated by many as "abnormal" or "invalid," whether this is in public, or in the privacy of their own homes. For people who are non-binary and/or transgender in particular, they are extremely disadvantaged — transgender women are more likely to be accosted in public, even killed. There is also transphobia that exists in the LGBTQ+ community, and an immense lack of understanding for transgender people in general. I think we need more education about the LGBTQ+ community in and out of school, and the community needs to be treated with the same dignity and respect, and be given the same rights, as cisgendered, heterosexual individuals.

# data[].attributes.body
is The United States is no exception to groups being undervalued and mistreated and therefore there are also groups that are "advantaged" and "privileged."

In the past year, there have been riots and protest advocating for the equal treatment of the black community throughout the United States after a video of a black man being killed by a police officer went viral. In the past couple of years, I have learned about the systemic racism that is embedded into our society, whether it be in real estate, jobs, or school, people who are of darker skinned are at a disadvantage. Throughout history, people who are not white, have faced discrimination in America. Although we are all on a path to a brighter future, this unfair treatment is still here, just in more discreet ways.  For example with the rise of COVID-19 in the past year, it has been termed by the president as the "Chinese Virus." By putting an ethnicity onto the virus, more people are afraid of going into chinatown, during this pandemic, many local stores have been suffering immensely due to their race.

Sadly, not only are certain different race and ethnic groups are at a disadvantaged, but the LGBTQ+ community, women, and so many more groups are discriminated on. It's baffling to think that in a country that is called the land of the free, we are not equally treated as "free". We are instead in a country where some people are valued as more while the rest are stuck in the system with little wiggle room.

I think that there is little communication between the people in different groups, and it is so easy to judge the other side without any context or background. There is such a divide between each group without the communication between them. I think that you can belong to a group, but it should not define who you are, and therefore you should not judge a group but instead judge the individual's character instead.

# data[].attributes.body
Within the US, several populations are being treated unfairly whether it be because of their skin color, race, religion, ethnicity, gender identification, sexual orientation, age, or physical/mental incapabilities. At the top of America’s social ladder are usually white cisgender men who reap the many benefits of the oppressive system that we live in. Specifically, discrimination towards AAPI (Asian American, Pacific Islanders), African-Americans, and the Latinx communities (or anyone who is a person of color) have become more apparent now than ever during the pandemic and with the utilization of media.

These populations have been targeted in several places, whether it be in a workplace, in the media, or even taking a simple walk to the store, there is always a skewed view that is perpetuated within each of these populations. Asian-Americans are often seen as the ‘model minority’, seen as capable of climbing the socioeconomic ladder with ease because they are considered to be extremely intelligent and seemingly “perfect”. However, this perception causes heavy burden to the Asian-American individuals who feel as if they are able to be as successful as their white counterparts. However, it only adds to a negative feedback loop, as the systemic racism in America prevents them from getting better wages or receiving promotions, and this ‘bootstrap mentality’ unfortunately doesn’t work in our chauvinist capitalist society. African-Americans have are typically thought to involve themselves in illicit activities and are seen as ‘dangerous’ because of the discrimination they’ve faced since the beginning of America’s history and even before. They have constantly been at the receiving end of violence and face fear at the thought of being the victim of a police officer and despite people who celebrate the accomplishments of black culture, some stay silent once they have expressed their need for help. The Latinx community has been the target of even our president, Donald Trump, who amplified anti-immigrant sentiments and threatened to deport immigrants out of the country. These negative sentiments eventually culminated into a stereotype in which Latinx people were seen as dangerous as well.

Tokenism is something that I’ve noticed happening to all these populations but specific to women and LGBTQ+ people in the workplace environment. More often than not, they are seen as representatives of something “diverse”, yet no affirmative action is being taken; women are still not receiving half as much the wages as men and LGBTQ+ people still face the isolation and condemnation of their peers, and are not allowed the freedom of identity. Diversity without inclusion is performative activism, and has only been enabling the oppression of these marginalized groups.

Unfortunately, although America has set into place several laws and regulations which would help combat discrimination towards these peoples, there is still much work to be done in spreading awareness of how these marginalized groups are being treated and change the way they are being presented in the media. I think that regardless of anyone’s difference, it is our individual responsibility to make sure that we can advocate for them however we can; whether that be educating ourselves on their culture and how they have been oppressed, using the personal pronouns one identifies with, acknowledging the accomplishments of these marginalized groups, and most importantly, start conversations with people who may think otherwise from us. Of course it’ll take time to integrate these changes into our divided society, but bringing respect and understanding to whatever conversation we have about these groups is something that needs to happen.

# data[].attributes.body
In the United States, there are many marginalized groups, including women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community. In contrast, the group that has the most privilege and advantages is white men, as they are very well represented in most arenas in life, particularly in politics.

Women are still fighting for their reproductive rights, including abortion and access to contraceptives. Currently, Roe v Wade, the court rule that stated that banning abortions was unconstitutional, is under threat, meaning that it will become very difficult for many women to get a safe abortion if it is overturned. Every woman should have all the resources they need to maintain their health and well-being. In addition, there is still a significant wage gap between men and women. I believe that men and women should be paid the same amount of money for the same amount of work. Unfortunately, women are negatively impacted by the gender wage gap often because of society’s pressure and expectation for women to be the primary caregiver.

Many minorities, such as African Americans, Asians, and Latinx people, face a lot of discrimination because of false, deeply-rooted stereotypes about them. The black community, especially, experiences racism shown through police brutality and many facets of life, including education, housing, career, and healthcare. Asian Americans also deal with a lot of racism and discrimination, which has heightened because of the pandemic. Latinx people encounter racial discrimination in many aspects of our society, especially in our justice system as they are most targeted for deportations. I believe that everyone should be treated respectfully and given the same opportunities no matter the color of their skin or their background.

Even though gay marriage was made legal in all states in 2015, the LGBTQ community continues to struggle to be treated with the same respect as their heterosexual counterparts. They come across a great amount of discrimination and harassment in the southern and middle states in the U.S., which are much less liberal than the east and west coast. It is sad to know that this is the reality, as everyone should be able to love whomever they want to love.

# data[].attributes.body
In the U.S. there are many marginalized groups, although sometimes people who live in America can be blind to them. Black people, the Latinx community, Asians, the LGBTQ+ community, women, and many other groups all face adversities every single day in this country. People of color do not have the same opportunities in school and careers because of the color of their skin, and all the stereotypes people hold against them. Black people face so much danger everyday because walking on the street they could be killed by police officers who are supposed to protect them. The LGBTQ+ community is a lot of times forced out of their homes just because of who they love or what gender they identify as. Transgender people are more at risk of being murdered or assaulted, simply for being who they are. Immigrants trying to escape poverty or danger in their own countries are often ridiculed and seen as criminals just because they wanted a better life for themselves and their families. Women have been fighting for their rights for centuries in America and there is still a wage gap between men and women. Also women are still being pushed aside or not believed when they experience sexual assault because a man’s reputation has to be protected. Of course all these different communities should not be made to feel less or face all these different obstacles, but unfortunately that is easier said than done. That is why it is so important to have conversations like these in order to stay informed and make sure that all these issues aren’t forgotten. The only way people can begin to see everyone as equal is if they are taught that people have differences, but at the end of the day we are all humans.

# data[].attributes.body
As in virtually all countries, disabled and LGBTQ+ people in America face discrimination, sometimes legalized, as well as social stigma and homophobia, transphobia, and ableism. These two groups are the only ones who are not guaranteed equal protections under the law, though recent instances like a Supreme Court decision in June have improved things for the LGBTQ+ community.
Muslims in America are sometimes regarded as terrorists or at least with discomfort by other Americans, a harmful stereotype that has little basis except for extreme examples Americans see in the news. Jews also face some bias, particularly from far-right groups, but  much less so in contemporary American society than in the past or in comparison with other marginalized groups.
And, of course, most people will know about racial discrimination in the US. Asian-Americans, Latinx people, and most of all Black people face implicit biases against them that manifest throughout our institutions, especially in our justice system.
Finally, also like in many other countries, American women struggle with issues like the pay gap, abortion access, menstrual product affordability, domestic violence, and discrimination/bias in the workplace.
Naturally I don't think any of these people should be treated with bias or discrimination. The best approach to such diversity is recognizing people are different but equal. There's no reason to be color blind or "not see gender," we just need to be able to see people's identities without making judgements based off them. That's easier said than done, though.

# data[].attributes.body
Sadly in America many different groups of people are oppressed and discriminated against. We see this inequity in all aspects of life from the work space and government to schools. Obviously racial discrimination has been a very prominent issue within our country. Individuals of different races are denied the same opportunities and rights of those who are white. Throughout history we have witnessed the struggles and prejudice they face constantly in our society. LGBTQ+ people have also been treated unjustly and forced to face bias and discrimination where ever they go. The fact that individuals are illtreated based on what they identify as is horrible and has happened continually throughout America’s history. Another major issue within our country as well as many others is that of gender equality. Women fight against sexism in their daily lives through unequal pay, stereotypes, and domestic violence. Various populations within America hold fewer rights and face discriminatory actions based on religion, gender, race, capability, sexuality, and more. I believe that everyone should be treated as equals despite what characteristics they may have. Individual’s identities should not shape our opinion of them and we should learn to respect everyone for who they are. Although this is a difficult outlook to uphold in society, I believe that we can work towards a more equal environment.