What kind of effect does discrimination have on the average college student? Discrimination is a pervasive problem on college campuses that has been around for decades. It effects minority students more than non-minorities, however it casts a dark shadow over the entire campus. Discrimination also represents a power imbalance within a campus community between groups of students. One way to right that balance is for the oppressed students to engage in activism. Scholarly literature suggests that students who experience personal discrimination may then participate in activism as a response. Many use it as a coping mechanism to deal with the experience. A consequence of this discrimination -> activism relationship is the empowerment of the oppressed student group within the community. Discrimination and Power: College Communities