Discrimination was one of the issues that caused conflict in the novel "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck. An example of discrimination in the novel takes the form of racial discrimination against Crooks, because he is African American. Another example of discrimination is the gender discrimination against Curley's wife. Finally, there is discrimination against people with mental disabilities, which is evident in the character of Lennie. The ranch employees' actions and conversations demonstrated racial discrimination against Crooks because of his skin color, sexual discrimination against Curley's wife because of her gender, and prejudice against Lennie, who was a mentally disabled person. This prevented the characters from reaching their full potential and causes tragedy. Racial discrimination was one aspect of discrimination in this story. Therefore, Crooks had to face various difficulties and conflicts, which prevented him from reaching his full potential. The ranch hands wouldn't let Crooks live, eat, and play with them because his skin color was different. This led to the conflict between him and Lennie. “Why don’t you want to?” » asked Lennie. "Because I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all stink to me." (Steinbeck, 68) In this conversation between Lennie and Crooks, an African-American stable hand, Crooks explains why he could not agree to play cards with other ranch hands. The fact that other ranch employees discriminate against Crooks because of his skin color is one. One of the important examples that prove the social belief that race was a factor in determining a person's worth during the depression era. This isolation prevented Crooks... middle of paper ...mentally disabled people prevented Lennie. to be trusted and respected as a human being. In this novel, the discrimination that Lennie faced prevented him from showing his abilities. Throughout the novel Of Mice and Men, Crooks, Curley's wife, and Lennie were unable to reach their potential because of discrimination against them. During the Depression era, people discriminated against African Americans by using derogatory terms, physically attacking them, and limiting their socialization. They discriminated against women by insulting them and making offensive assumptions. People with intellectual disabilities have been targets of brutal actions, stereotyping and betrayal. Steinbeck warned people not to discriminate against others by showing various conflicts and the tragic endings caused by discrimination. Works Cited Steinbeck, John. Of mice and men. New York: Penguin Books, 1937. Print.