What is individual discrimination?

Individual discrimination refers to the one-on-one unequal treatment that occurs between individuals, typically involving a member of a dominant group treating a member of a minority group unfairly. This form of discrimination focuses on personal interactions and actions rather than larger societal structures or collective biases.

For instance, if a landlord refuses to rent to a qualified tenant solely based on their ethnicity, that incident exemplifies individual discrimination; it is a direct action taken against one person rather than a broader, institutionalized issue.

This concept is distinct from systemic or institutional discrimination, which would involve societal-level practices or policies that disadvantage entire groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Understanding individual discrimination is crucial for recognizing how personal biases can manifest in everyday interactions and significantly affect individuals' opportunities and experiences in various social contexts.