How has prejudice and discrimination developed since oppression from the past?

Answer 1

Prejudice and discrimination are much older than human history. Looking after yourself, your family, your clan or your species goes down to genetic level and is what helps all species survive in a competitive environment - lions stick with lions, dogs with dogs e.t.c.
Prejudice and discrimination has continued from the past into the present and does not need oppression to keep it alive. However good we are, however pc, however wealthy or well educated, the deep and primal instinct to stick with our own kind remains.
I'm sure you are talking about more recent and specific examples such as the legacy of slavery in the perception and treatment of black people in the U.S, but I think it is important to look at the origin of prejudice and oppression as a starting in understanding why it is here and why it will never go away.
Though I do think, in real terms, many cultures on this planet have come a very long way in a very short time. Just look back at life (and legislation) for black U.S citizens even 40 years ago.
I recently taught in a private school in Uganda. A lot of the kids there are really racist - not white on black, but in degrees of darkness of skin. Discrimination and prejudice are universal.

Answer 2

The existence of prejudice and discrimination in a 'civilised' society is no longer blindly accepted. It is firmly linked with Nazi atrocities during the second world war and later tragedies such as Rwanda and Bosnia.

We often view discrimination as the strong attacking the weak, but of course the events of 911 can equally be said to be a matter of prejudice. To us, such attacks seem arbitrary in that they kill anyone involved, but the terrorists themselves almost always see civilians associated to their enemies as legitimate targets. Indeed this is not new. The bombing of Dresden and the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were all carried out in the full knowledge that 'non-combatants' would be killed in their thousands.

Greater knowledge of what is happening in the world also confronts us with the realisation that we have to face our consciences with the knowledge that we place more importance on the life of a British adult than we do on an Iraqi child's. This is a newly realised prejudice for most of us to face on a daily basis. I would suggest few of us are far down the road of dealing with that.

Answer 3

The word 'discrimination' means informed choice.
'Prejudice' means pre-judging unfairly without relevant information. Like many people replying to your question assume that you are talking about race.
What is 'Oppression from the past'? How can prejudice 'develop'?
If you are asking whether most people in advanced countries remain full of unprovoked hatreds and needless fears, the answer is Yes.