{"id":50194,"date":"2018-09-24T17:12:27","date_gmt":"2018-09-24T17:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/09\/24\/transcending-prejudice-through-humble-courage\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:46:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:46:37","slug":"transcending-prejudice-through-humble-courage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/commentary\/2018\/09\/24\/transcending-prejudice-through-humble-courage\/","title":{"rendered":"Transcending prejudice through humble courage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

My grandfather served as a United States Marine in World War II and the Korean War. During World War II, he served at Guadalcanal, the \u00adSolomon Islands and the Bismarck Archipelago region. He received a citation signed by Adm. Chester Nimitz for meritorious service. He is part of a rich history of veterans who personified the Marine Corps motto of Semper Fi and sacrificed much to protect the principles upon which our country was founded. One of these fundamental principles is equality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a nation, if we are to reach the lofty goal of equality<\/a>, we must confront and transcend our tendency toward prejudice,<\/a> a poisonous and insidious quality that is present in all cultures. I believe the core values of the Marine Corps help to dissuade Marines from espousing unfounded, negative beliefs and attitudes about culturally diverse individuals or groups. However, recent events suggest that even \u00adMarines are not immune from prejudice. This summer, for instance, the Corps discharged a 19-year-old lance corporal for allegedly assaulting protestors and demonstrating alongside white supremacists at the \u201cUnite the Right\u201d rally<\/a> in Charlottesville, Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early in my career as a mental health counseling researcher, I began investigating the underlying causes of prejudice, and I have learned a few things that I would like to share. It is difficult to understand and acknowledge what fuels our prejudice, and there are many beliefs and theories about how it occurs. I personally believe that prejudice is mostly a product of insecurity, fear and ignorance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfred Adler, the psychologist who coined the term inferiority complex, hypothesized that all people are born with a sense of inferiority that can influence them in different ways throughout life. Some individuals express this feeling in the form of a superiority complex, belittling others \u2014 often vulnerable individuals and groups \u2014 in an attempt to escape from their own insecurities. If you recognize that you may be treating members of some groups more negatively than others, consider asking yourself where these attitudes are really coming from. Perhaps, it is a projection of your internal self-talk that is painting a group in a certain light. It can be difficult to answer this question honestly and face your limiting beliefs. This is where integrity and courage come into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\t