There have been several or more “isms” that refer to
discrimination and/or prejudice against certain groups of
people. In the US, racism has been a prominent one. Sexism is
another. Even ageism, as I now personally recognize as I pass
social security age. In South Africa, I recently heard about the
term gayism, referring to the violent treatment of homosexuals,
especially lesbians, which then combines sexism with the gayism.
“Corrective” enforced rape is not infrequently applied by
indigenous South African males. Historically and worldwide,
anti-Semitism against those of Jewish heritage has been common.
Whether this long history of anti-Semitism is a causal or
coincidental factor, or not, starting with Freud those of Jewish
heritage were responsible for the development of modern
psychiatry. Perhaps this could be considered to be an antidote
of sorts to the anti-Semitism. Often, there is some sort of
mental health or general health toll to those subject to one of
these “isms.” At times, those guilty of racism