Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - dis·crim·i·na·tion /dɪˌskrɪməˈneɪʃən/ Pronunciation Spelled Pronunciation[di-skrim-uh-ney-shuhn] 1. an act or instance of discriminating. 2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination. 3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment: She chose the colors with great discrimination. 4. Archaic. something that serves to differentiate. [Origin: 1640–50; < L discrÄ«minātiōn- (s. of discrÄ«minātiō) a distinguishing. See discriminate, -ion]

Discrimination, in and of itself, is a neutral term. When you apply it to ethnicities, sexual orientation, and whatnot, there is where it takes on its negative connotation. Here is the definition (I am breaking up the definition rather than posting it in order to make my point): dis⋅crim⋅i⋅na⋅tion 1. an act or instance of discriminating. 3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment 4. Archaic. something that serves to differentiate. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/discrimination In its simplicity discrimination is the act of deciding between one thing and another... period. We all do it every time we make a choice. I just used my discrimination to choose to have a cup of coffee over a soda. I also routinely use my discrimination to choose root beer or Dr. Pepper over other types of soda. Here is where it enters negative context: 2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination. The current general accepted meaning of "discrimination" is used in the above context. In this case it is severely damaging. It is very rarely applied in a positive fashion when used in regards to humans. Almost always when used in this context it is used as negative discrimination. I am a very discriminating man, when you take the base meaning of discriminating. I have very specific tastes and use my discrimination very carefully in my choices. However, I do not discriminate based on such as ethnicity, sexual orientation, or the like. I do not consider such things to be important. Another concept that is likewise changed from its very simplistic terms to negative connotation is stereotyping. Here is an older answer of mine explaining how this is so: http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/5402363

Discrimination = unavoidable. All people discriminate constantly, on every basis imaginable (and a few bases that we don't even understand ourselves). People who say they don't are just trying to sound civilized. "What would you do if a man pointed a gun at your chest?" "What would you do if a black man pointed a gun at your chest?" You can't answer either question accurately (unless you're a cop or someone who has a lot experience in this sort of thing). Nor can you say whether you would act the same in the two situations. Black skin; slanted eyes; nice clothes; beard; blond hair; skinny fingers; face piercings; thick glasses. People can't help but make presumptions based on a person's appearance, no matter how much we try to avoid it. Pretending that we don't is living a lie, and lying is not good.