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 can remember when my parents and I took my brother off to visit a college in the upper part of SC and we went to eat at this restaurant. They set all the white people before they set us. We had to eat because we were staying the night there and it was the only restaurant that was close. The other restaurants were about a hour away and we were to tired to drive. After they seated us, it took over 10 minutes for them to take our drink order. Then, when they brought us our food it was burnt. We were to afraid to send it back because we did not know what they might do to it. When we paid for our food they placed my dad’s change on the table instead of in his hand.

　

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

Prejudice was present in this incident. The people in the restaurant need to see and understand that we are all human beings. We should treat people with respect regardless to how they look, smell, or act.

　

　

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

This incident made me feel like we where back in days when my parents were children. I felt like I was not important and that they did not value us as people because our skin color was different than theirs.

　

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

The mind set of the people in that town need to change. They need to stop looking at people for their skin color and start see them as human beings. Yes, our skin color maybe different but we are all God’s children.