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In freshman sociology we learned that there were two types of descriptions of people.
1) Ascribed status. A status with which a person is labeled and which the bearer has no power to change. An example of this would be "caucasian" or "blind".
2) Achieved status. A status achieved through effort/behavior. An example of that would be "college graduate" or "bigot."
In general, I think it's wrong to discriminate against people for their ascribed status. A person can't help what race they are, or that they are a dwarf, or whatever. It's not cool to hold that against them.
On the other hand, I think that under many circumstances it IS ok to discriminate against someone for their achieved status. Being a bigot would be such a status. A person makes the choice whether or not they will be a bigot. As another human being with a conscience of your own, you have the right to place a value on that choice. Just as you would likewise be justified in revering someone who has reached the achieved status of "hero" by saving a bunch of puppies from a burning building.
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"If I cannot smoke cigars in heaven, I shall not go!"
- Mark Twain
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