Discrimination
In general, discrimination, in a non-legal sense, is the discernment of qualities and recognition of the differences between things. In a legal sense, discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of a person or a group of people based on certain characteristics. Discrimination on grounds such as race or religion, is illegal, while discriminating between people on the grounds of merit is usually lawful. The latter is more commonly referred to as "differentiating." When unlawful discrimination takes place, it is often described as discrimination against a person or group of people.
Race discrimination differentiates between individuals on the basis of real and perceived racial differences.
National origin discrimination is illegal discrimination against an individual because of birthplace, ancestry, culture, or linguistic characteristics common to a specific ethnic group.
Age discrimination is discrimination against a person or group on the grounds of age.
Sex discrimination is discrimination against a person or group on the basis of their sex or gender.
Employment discrimination refers to discriminatory employment practices such as bias in hiring, promotion, job assignment, termination, and compensation, and various types of harassment.
Source: Wikipedia.org: Discrimination 
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See also: Accessibility; Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Americans with Disabilities Act; Anti-discrimination law; Disability law; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Equal opportunity; Equal Pay Act; Harassment; Hostile Environment; Individual with disability; Major life activity; Pregnancy Discrimination Act; Protected Class; Reasonable accommodation; Reasonable Person Standardant; Rehabilitation Act; Sexual Harassment; Undue hardship