Week 6 :: The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

To complete this assignment, ask yourself these questions:

• 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? 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.

I remember being called "nigger" by many people throughout my lifetime. I was called that when I took someone else's parking spot, after accidentally bumping into someone while walking in the mall, in anger from an ex-boyfriend, and once by a former co-worker.

• In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

In my eyes, it did not diminish my equity in the situations because that word does not have the same effect on me as it might another black or bi-racial person of color. The word is just a word to me and I understood why the persons were saying it. They felt powerless in the situation so it was them who suffered the lack of equity. They were trying to hurt me with words (which is impossible because I choose to not let words hurt me). They thought by calling me a derogatory name, they would gain the upper hand in the situation. Unfortunately for them, nothing of the sort happened. The lady did not get the parking spot. The bumped person in the mall walked away angry, and the ex-boyfriend and former co-workers still lost their battles with me and had to resort to name-calling (the most immature and unsophisticated way to end a discussion)

• What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

Again, the feelings from those incidents were not ones wherein I felt bad because someone had used a racial slur to try and hurt me. They didn't know I choose to not let words hurt so they were confused. They felt powerless still because i did not yell back or retaliate with name-calling. I felt empowered and confident when I calmly said, "I am so sorry you are so upset with me. I apologize for anything I've done to add to your discomfort." 

• What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

I suppose the other people would have to be willing to calm down and discuss their state of being at the moment in order for us to move past the anger and just agree to disagree. I would like to think that my willingness to not respond in kind would open a door for further discussion.