Did anyone imagine twenty years ago that the existence of a
virtual world would be possible?
The world has changed so much in the past
decades. Science has made great strides, laws on Equality and Human Rights were
created, technology has raised sharply making the world smaller and bringing
people closer. Yet, much ink is still expended on Discrimination, Prejudice and
Racism, three words that bring people apart. Is this multicultural virtual
world called Second Life a Utopia regarding this subject?
Discrimination, prejudice and racism are concepts that merge
for their cause-effect relationship. All three are grounded on stereotypes that
generate social malaise. While Prejudice
stems from preconceived negative judgments on people and their beliefs and
behaviors, Discrimination is an unfair or unequal treatment given to a person
based on prejudice related to religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation,
gender, physical or mental disability, nationality, among others. Racism, on the
other hand, expresses a set of theories and beliefs that establish racial and
ethnic hierarchies, superior and inferior races, resulting in Intolerance, hostile
feelings and attitudes.