What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression?
I am not sure if this is the best example, however recently I saw a post of a man who was questioned about being in the correct line to embark on a plane. He was standing on the business class line. A white, blond lady told him that he was probably on the wrong line, and that she was next. He showed his ticket and she insisted that if he, a black man, was in that line it is because he is probably in the army, therefore did not pay for his own ticket. This person insisted that because she paid for her own ticket she was still supposed to go next. Turns out she was obviously wrong and this story has gone viral.
I have faced a similar situation. The clerk assumed I was in the wrong line. And although I was the only passenger standing there, she proceeded to call the other passengers from other lines. I exclaimed an "excuse me, I am next" and she asked me not once, or two times, she asked me three times, if I had a business class ticket, which I had.
(This was the first story that came to my mind and I am fully aware that it is not such a big issue for me)
Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.
In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
Although it was not a very significant problem for me, these stories, where people make assumptions based on race, looks, etc are common and may happen to families in doctor offices, women looking for jobs, students in universities, etc. Prejudice, Bias and racism happens everywhere.
Whenever faced or witnessing some sort of marginalization I feel angry and powerless. One thing that can be done is to talk about it openly and to raise awareness of oppression on daily basis.
I am not sure if this is the best example, however recently I saw a post of a man who was questioned about being in the correct line to embark on a plane. He was standing on the business class line. A white, blond lady told him that he was probably on the wrong line, and that she was next. He showed his ticket and she insisted that if he, a black man, was in that line it is because he is probably in the army, therefore did not pay for his own ticket. This person insisted that because she paid for her own ticket she was still supposed to go next. Turns out she was obviously wrong and this story has gone viral.
I have faced a similar situation. The clerk assumed I was in the wrong line. And although I was the only passenger standing there, she proceeded to call the other passengers from other lines. I exclaimed an "excuse me, I am next" and she asked me not once, or two times, she asked me three times, if I had a business class ticket, which I had.
(This was the first story that came to my mind and I am fully aware that it is not such a big issue for me)
Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.
In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
Although it was not a very significant problem for me, these stories, where people make assumptions based on race, looks, etc are common and may happen to families in doctor offices, women looking for jobs, students in universities, etc. Prejudice, Bias and racism happens everywhere.
Whenever faced or witnessing some sort of marginalization I feel angry and powerless. One thing that can be done is to talk about it openly and to raise awareness of oppression on daily basis.
Renata,
ReplyDeleteWow, this is the first I am hearing about this story. That is terrible what happened to that man. How dare that woman assume that the man should not be in the business line and then when he showed his ticket, she then assumed he was in the military and had his ticket paid for him. First of all, if I was that man, I certainly would not have justified why I was standing in the line and I would not have shown her my ticket. She sounds inpatient and rude. I am sure this kind of situation happens a lot daily. It is sad honestly. I witnessed the other night a woman at the mall with her children trying to get a picture with Santa but the mother did not speak nor understand English. The woman in charge of the register said out loud that she could not believe how someone can live in this country and not speak nor understand a lick of English! It infuriated me and I reported her to the manager. I think taking this class and learning about "-isms" and microaggressions fueled my fire to stand up and speak up for that family. It was also a lesson I was teaching my son, who was with me and witnessed the whole thing. Great post, thank you for sharing.
Jennifer
I definitely have heard about the gentleman you are referring to. And to make things better, he apologized on his behalf for the negative exposure she recieved. Its shameful how some people are blatantly rude and disrespectful but its refreshing that some people in the world are not complacent with permitting bigotry and hate.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent example of micro aggression, prejudice & just shameful behaviour. He should not have to apologize for anything. He was in the right. I am certain that it appears to many as ‘grace’, but I have done this in the past and the result was being walked over/manipulated because I was clearly ‘too nice’.
ReplyDeleteThere is no winning in these situations. The manner that people are treated has declined to such a low level... ladies- we have so many children to teach— but let us not forget to teach the parents, as the home is the first and foremost place of learning.