Unless you were born into a totally perfect world there are prejudices that attach themselves early in life. Many of these are at the subliminal level and are not easily dispatched. As adults these influence our decisions ,and it is too easy to label people because  of their beliefs. It is a worthwhile exercise to examine the beliefs that guide us in the light of rationality and common sense. The other person in almost all cases is not a villain because of their gender,race,sexual preference or cultural dispositions.We have far more in common with those we fear and  old beliefs that prevent us from understanding and acceptance can be altered and changed.