Saturday, October 11, 2014

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

It’s sad that we still live in a world where bias, prejudice, and/or oppression still exist.  Why can’t we all just get alone and live in peace and harmony.  I cannot recall any other incidents of bias, prejudice and or oppression other than those I previously touched upon. One of the incidents occurred a couple weeks ago in which a Jewish man goes into a Greek restaurant and orders a Greek salad and the man asked him will that be that be the regular size or Jewish size because we all know Jews are cheap.  I was offend by this comment because it revealed that bias, prejudice and oppression is still very much alive. Even though I would like to think that we have made greater advancement in this area, however that isn’t the case.   This incident brought up feelings of despair, angrier and sadness because it took me back to an era in which bias, prejudices and oppression were very much alive.  It gave me a visual image of some of the things my ancestors had to endure but on a much deeper scale.  In order for change to take place it starts from those persons that exhibits behaviors such as bias, prejudices, and/or oppression.  I think we all should accepted one another for who we are and embrace our differences because in our differences is where we find our strength.  I feel that the necessary steps were taken in this particular incident because first of all I feel that we should acknowledge that it occurred.  Secondly, I feel that an apology should be in order.  And thirdly I feel that it is necessary to take responsibility and on up to your actions that were displayed and reflect upon them.  In this particular incident that two parties met and a public apology was issued.  

2 comments:

  1. Torri
    It is ashamed that we still live in a world where there are prejudices and bias behaviors. It breaks my heart knowing that people can be so mean. Words hurt people. I recall hearing that story. I know that statement angered the man. I agree with you some of the bias attitudes make me think of what people had to go through during the civil rights movements. As an educator, we need to teach the young so they can bring it back to their community. Thanks for sharing the story.
    LaNea

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  2. It is sad that these factors still exist today. I think now that society has recognized these as issues, and therefore, people are more open to change than what they use to be. That's the special thing about being an educator; we are able to teach our students how not to be like the rest of society, but rather stand up for what is right.

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