The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Opppression
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.
Friday
night is family night for us and we love to try out new places to eat, watch a
movie, go bowling or anything the kids want to do. Our kids love Friday family nights and we as
a family also really look forward to spending time with the kids and doing
something fun. We enjoy trying new
things so one day my kids suggested going to golf. We thought well we can try it even though this
is a sport that we have never played or find interesting. So, the place we looked at took only
reservations, so I made a reservation and knew how much we would be
paying. As we arrived to the place it
looked very nice and upscale in fact they have a really nice restaurant that I
also decided to make reservations and have diner there. As soon as we walked in the hostess asked if
we were lost. I told her that we had
reservations to have diner then golf.
She looked at all of us and then said, “you know this is a very
expensive place and I do not thing you will be able to afford it” My wife and I
were so upset and asked to speak to the manager. The manager came and had the same attitude as
she did. We ended up leaving because we
felt that oppression that we were not wanted or welcome there.
In what way(s) did the specific bias,
prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
I
believe that our incident diminish equity because we were Hispanic and were
thought that we could not afford a place like that. The hostess and manager had the same
diminishing attitude that we were not wanted there and that they did not want
to provide us any service.
What feelings did this incident bring
up for you?
The
first feeling was a sense of sadness to see how our kids had to experience such
harsh cruelty. My wife and I had a talk
with them and our little one didn’t understand much how mean people can be, but
our older girls did understand that sometimes people judge us for not being
white. I have to be honest that I have gotten afraid to try new places because
I do not want our kids to experience another discrimination
What and/or who would have to change
in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?
This
is such a great question but very hard to see it turn into a reality. Society must change their way of thinking and
not separate and discriminate people because they are from a different
background, or have different skin color, or an accent. With all the cultures and backgrounds, we
make a great nation that everyone should want to have the opportunity to learn
from each other’s diversities.
Wow, I am sorry that you all had to experience that. That was not nice at all. How can people just assume what other people can and can't afford. You did right to take your family and leave there. I know that if it was my husband, he probably would of gave them both a piece of his mind. I have never had anyone to say anything out the way to me like that, but sometimes you can get that look. But just because of that incident, you shouldn't let that stop you from trying new things with your family. You are not gone want your children to grow up and not try new things. Thanks for sharing that because I have learned what oppression is. Great post.
ReplyDeleteMiguel,
ReplyDeleteThat was unfortunate that your family had to experience such a thing. I understand why you would not want to try new places because of what occurred; however, I feel that you should not let one restaurant's bias deter you from venturing to other places. You never know what great places and people you could be missing out on. Plus, it might show your children that not everyone is as cruel as the people at the golf course.