http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/01-the-lady-vanishes
We live in the age of 'political correctness'. Everyone is taught about the immorality of prejudice and discrimination, and the importance of acceptance. Social campaigns, newspapers and the public education does not leave question Yet, hate crimes continues to threaten the lives of women and African-Americans, and some blatant racist is elected as president. The discrepancy leaves us to wonder what makes us act by prejudice, despite social conditioning?
Through his podcast, 'The Lady Vanishes", Gladwell introduces the concept of 'moral licensing'- that people feel justified to do an immoral act or strengthen their prejudices when they had already done a moral, or inclusive act. We see this psychological phenomenon every day: when we splurge on the 7th day of diet, when we throw candy wrappers to the ground after volunteering for Green Peace, when we enjoy illegally downloaded film after a tiring day as a 'good student'. However, this small tendency becomes destructive when a powerful majority treats the minorities through 'moral licensing'.
As in the examples Gladwell presents, moral licensing had often been used against, and had detrimental effect on, women; most women do not even get the chance to speak out like Julia Gillard did. Minorities, including women, blacks, and Jews all suffered from harsher discrimination and hate crimes after the success of a leader from the same ethnic or gender group.
Although moral licensing is a social phenomenon, it is still in the realm of individual consciousness. Thus, the only solution to resolving moral licensing is through the enlightenment of the individual, or at least, heightened awareness. We must promote an atmosphere that invites open criticism, sensitivity and frequent self-reflection, as moral licensing sometimes happen unconsciously.
