Chapter 12:

Discrimination


“refrain from any behavior that results in illegal, discriminatory, or unethical actions.”

--NCBTMB Standards of Practice II (b)


Federal law protects from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Violations can even be a crime which will be prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice. Federal regulation to level the playing field and prevent discrimination began during the Civil War with the Thirteenth Amendment to the federal constitution. The impetus died after 1900 until the end of World War II. Progress following the war included most notably the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown vs. Board of Education. The first federal civil rights law of the twentieth century, however, was not passed until 1957.


In a breathtaking speech on June 11, 1963, President Kennedy said to the nation on television, “This nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened….The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the nation in which he is born, has about one half as much chance of completing high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one third as much chance of completing college, one third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year or more, a life expectancy which is seven years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much.” It was clear something was very wrong. This led in the following year to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 signed by President Johnson.


More recently, the federal government has turned its attention to discrimination against the disabled. Section 504, passed in 1973, was designed to eliminate barriers and encourage participation in education and on the job. In 1992 the Americans with Disabilities Act became effective, requiring businesses constructing or modifying facilities to meet design standards and existing businesses to remove barriers and provide auxiliary aids and services to assist the disabled.


States may expand on the federal anti-discrimination law. Vermont, for example, prohibits discrimination based upon sexual orientation, marital status, place of birth, minor children or receipt of public assistance. Oregon adds protection to people who are associated with a member of a protected class (one of the categories protected from discrimination), age, and family relationship.


Provisions against discrimination can also be enacted at the city level. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Boston, for example, protect gender identity and sexual expression.


As a therapist of the healing arts it would be counter to your profession to behave in an unethical way. The industry lends itself beautifully to the sincere and genuine. The work atmosphere then becomes free and easy. You will draw in good people as clients and doors to other interests and opportunities will open as a result of these connections.


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