The issues of prejudice and discrimination are still things that exist in the country, and these are topics that may be sensitive to some.

Some people may want to brush off things like this, but these are issues that can be seen from the national level and even on a local level.

Every day, whether it be on the news or in person, I see or hear people saying things that can come across as prejudice or discrimination.

Over the past couple of months, Kim Davis has become quite the celebrity on a national level.  You may be unfamiliar with her name, but there is a good chance you have heard of her based on her actions.

Davis is a Rowan County clerk for the state of Kansas and has gained notoriety, for a good reason, for denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

She cites her religion and beliefs as the reason why she has been denying couples licenses even after the same-sex marriage became legal nationwide on June 26, 2015.

She was even jailed for her stubbornness and refusal to issues license after a judge told her what she was doing was not constitutionally right.

Her short jail sentence received outcry from individuals with similar beliefs including Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee.

Both candidates attended a rally with Davis being released from prison, and Huckabee even saying that he would go to jail if it meant Davis could go free, and that she went to prison for something she believed in.

Davis was being praised for what she did, but she did nothing right.

Denying rights to someone because of belief that someone is not equal to you is not standing up for a personal belief or religion.

That is denying someone a right because of hate, prejudice and discrimination.

This was something that escalated to a national level, but beliefs like these can be seen on a local level in our town of Charleston.

Every now and again at work, I will strike up a conversation with a customer where I work.

At times, these conversations can go awry quickly.

I have had people tell me that gay people should not have equal rights and the Confederate flag is a symbol of heritage.

Even more recently, I have been told that Davis did nothing wrong and that Donald Trump is saying what is on America’s mind and the list goes on.

I even had someone I know tell me of a recent experience she faced that could be seen as someone showing prejudice.

Religion and where you grew up are not excuses that cannot be used to show hate towards someone.

There is no reason to show hate towards someone because they are “different” from you.

These are things people do not really like to talk about, but if these issues are never discussed, they will never be solved.

It is 2015; the issues of discrimination, prejudice, racism, etc. should not exist.

Chris Picazo is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].