Saturday October 15, 2011

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and /or oppression?

This incident happened a few years ago when my daughter had an accident driving from school together with her siblings and two other children. When the accident happened we were notified and went to the site immediately. While we waited for the police the caucasians male party made comments like; “All you Jamaicans don’t know how to drive, look how you hit my car!” In rage he continued, “And I am sure you do not have insurance on your car because that is what all you do when in America.” His buddy with him acknowledged him saying, “I’m sure they illegal and they should just send all of them back!” We ignored them and continued to wait.

In what ways did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

Who said they were Jamaicans? Who said they had no insurance?  Who said they were illegal? These were messages of micro-aggression, biases and prejudice.  My daughter was not treated with respect and courtesy which should be afforded equally to all whether legal or illegal citizens, whether they were at fault in the accident or not at fault.  She was pre-judged based on the assumptions of others. Those messages diminished the fairness and equal rights of women and immigrants on the part of the male party. However what the police officer did showed a measure of equity. He listened to both parties and could not determine which party was at fault. Therefore he encouraged both parties to contact their insurance companies and did not see the need to give any of them a ticket.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

I felt sad for my children who were discriminated against by the male party. I often asked, “How many times do we have to go through incidents of bias and prejudice?” It was very emotional for all of us because you never know how and when your identity could be mistaken and caused conflicts. This situation could have been escalated and who knows someone could have gotten hurt. Imaging you been accused of who you are not; your status, your identity, your class! It is disheartening to know how the color of your skin and your accent in one way take away equity among groups of people.  Even though many efforts were made in the past to eradicate biases and prejudices, the many instances tell us that biases and prejudices are far from over.

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

The one who needs to change in order to turn the incident into an opportunity for greater equity is the one who experienced the pain of the ‘isms.” Sometimes it is hard to figure out why you became the target but what we have to remember is the fact that the “isms” are part of our lives even though it is hard accepting it (Nadiyah Taylor, Laureate Education Inc, 2011).The way we look at people's identity and our attitudes towards individuals of different ethnic group need to be changed.  We need to educate more of society on issues of “isms” and let our experiences of the pain become the “A-HA” moment for those perpetrators of bias, prejudice, micro-aggression and other isms that exist in society.  If we are going to do something towards equity for all we should start with respect (Eugene Garcia, Laureate Education, Inc. 2011). Respect of our own own identity, and then respect for others. There is a long road ahead of us towards equality for all.

Resources

 Garcia, E. (2011 Laureate Education Inc). In his own voice

Taylor, N. (2011). Laureate Education Inc). In her own voice.

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