Some common structural violence is elitism, ethnocentrism, classism, racism, sexism, adultism, nationalism, heterosexism, ageism, and discrimination based on disability. Elitism is a belief that some individuals, who form an elite—a select group people who has certain wealth, experience, advantage, or intelligence—are those who whose influence or authority is greater than others. Ethnocentrism is judging other culture solely by the values and standards of one’s culture, such as Hitler’s Germany. Classism is discrimination on the basis of social class. Racism is a kind of discrimination against other races. Sexism, also known as gender discrimination, is discrimination on the base of a person’s sex or gender. In most cases, female are the victims of sexism. Adultism is discrimination against youths, because the power adults have over children. Nationalism is a brief or ideology that involves individuals identifying with, or feeling attached, one’s nation. Heterosexism is a kind of discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and other sexual minorities. Ageism is discriminating against individual or groups on the basis of their age, often elders. Discrimination against disability is discriminating against individuals or groups that have physical or mental disabilities. These kinds common structural violence had caused many victims’ death or harm and it is still going on.
An important factor to determine which kind of structural violence is the most pernicious is its consequences. The more people it affected, the more evil it is. For example, adultism is pernicious because it is a kind of discrimination against youths. Youths are the next generation of earth. Without them, the civilization of human beings will not continue. However, the discrimination against youths might leave serious pain in their heart. Joseph Stalin, the first president of the Soviet Union that used terror to rule his nation, was continuously beaten by his alcoholic father during his childhood. Stalin is a great example of the consequences of adultism, which might lead to tragedies. Ageism is also one of the most pernicious ones. Every human will eventually grow old. Although elders might not have the body strength as before, they have experiences that can be told to the youths and adults. Sometimes, elders can provide vital experiences and assist the future generations. Adultism and ageism are the most pernicious ones because they might hold back the human civilization, and they are considered the worst of all.
Classism, nationalism, and elitism are the second most pernicious because they can affect interstate problems. Classists discriminate against other social class. For example, rich people belittle poor people. Nationalism is a feeling of attached to a nation, such as Hitler’s Germany. Elitists believe that they are more superior to others because they are the “elite”. All these kinds of structural violence might lead to civil wars (classism, nationalism, and elitism) or international wars (nationalism). Therefore, they are the second most pernicious ones and worst ones.
Racism, ethnocentrism, and sexism are considered the third pernicious structural violence. Although these kinds of discrimination might affect the most people, it does not create serious consequences. Hence, racism, ethnocentrism, and sexism are the third pernicious ones. At last, I believe that discrimination against disabilities and heterosexism are the not good ones. Although people that are victims might not be happy, they are only the minority comparing to the others. Therefore, discrimination against disabilities and heterosexism are considered the best among all discrimination.
In my personal opinion, racism is the hardest to eliminate among all. In the past, Europeans and Americans had played an important role of international relations. Asians, Africans, and other races were often discriminated during the colonial period. In economic wise, Europe and the US are the most powerful nations. White people’s domination is seen as normal is the current situation. Therefore, racism is the hardest to eliminate. Yet, there are still some methods we can take. In 2024, people believe that China’s economic power will bypass the US. If China starts to rise, racism might be solved. People will start to think Chinese, or Asians in general, are at least the same level as while people. Therefore, the most effective way to solve racism is the victims themselves rise in economic wise and military wise.