The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

• 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 chose to discuss a memory when someone else was the target of bias and prejudice.  I was spending time with one of my family members who is a homosexual male.  I actually witnessed him in line at the store preparing to pay for his items.  When my cousin spoke to the sales lady and began to make small conversation, the sales lady frowned.  She then proceeded to treat him with disguise and was very snappy in her tone with him.  I observed how this made him feel and began to feel sympathetic towards his feelings.  Once he left the line, it was my turn to pay for my items.  The same sales lady greeted me and her attitude seemed lightened and friendlier.  She began to make small conversation with me and stated “no matter how much they want to be like us (women), they will never be.”  I was shocked and requested to speak to her manager.  The sales lady did not know we were together and couldn’t understand why I wanted to speak with her manager.  After all, she was very cordial with me.  Once the manager arrived, I informed her of the incident I witnessed and how I felt that this type of prejudice keeps our country in oppression.  I informed the manager that I was not trying to get her fired but I did suggest that the store give some type of formal training to make their employees aware of diversity, prejudice, bias, and isms.

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

It diminished equity because my cousin was not treated with courtesy and respect that was equal to the service I received.  This type of treatment and comments diminishes the fairness and equal rights of homosexuals everywhere.  I am aware that many religious groups and individual feelings keep people from giving homosexuals equality.  However, as a human being equity should not be diminished because of personal reasons.  I feel that everyone deserves to be treated fairly and not be the target of prejudice and bias forms of hatred that is verbal and nonverbal.

• What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

This incident made me feel inhumane.  I felt very emotional and saddened to witness that type of treatment.  I then started to think how the situation would have been heightened for my cousin if I shared the same feelings as the sales attendant.  This made me feel relieved to know I was with him.   After the incident was over, I asked my cousin how he felt about the comment and how she treated him.  My cousin appeared to be used to the treatment which made me feel even worst.  He stated that he is normally the target of rude comments and mockery when he goes about merging into society.  I did not know he had been the target of such comments all of the time.  He then stated to me that he appreciated me standing up for him because he became accustomed to the treatment and stopped fighting to be treated equally.

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

What would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity is that the company enforces an immediate training for all of their employees on equity, prejudice, isms and bias.  I hold the company responsible for not empowering their employees by making them aware of diversity.  I feel that if we begin to hold companies accountable for giving formal training to their employees, we can reach the vast majority of society to teach and bring awareness to this issue.