In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in this incident diminish equity? Well, I have a friend, who works at a plant making doors. It’s owned by a white family. He is always telling of the racist things that are said to him. I decided to ask him if he had an incident at his job that was something he could tell me specifically on bias, prejudice and/or oppression in an incident that would diminish equity. He began to tell me something that to this day, even though it was about twenty years ago, he would never forget it. He asked one day whether they were off on Martin Luther King’s birthday and the white guy said I’ll be back to let you.
A foreign guy who did not know English very well brought him a rope, and said this was his answer to the question Of King’s birthday; it was tied like a rope you would hang someone with. This foreign guy did not understand how degrading the incident was, which was why they put him up to do it. The article Inverting Racism’s Distortions states; that while racism is readily identifiable in its more extreme manifestations, hate crimes and other forms of physical violence, explicit discrimination comes in the form of education and employment settings, etc.,
( MARGLES, & MARGLES, 2010).
The feelings he had from this incident was at first to get angry, then he realized that racism was not going to ever change and he worked for the kind of people that allowed this to happen and thought nothing about it. Even after over 20 years this incident is still embedded in his mind.
What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity would be first, the change of the dominant culture. Simply, because the dominant culture is the one that controls what society thinks and feel. As long as they feel superior, it may not ever change. This article explains that no one is born racist. Racism is taught and the lives of whites would go better if racism didn’t exist. Racism hurts us all. It is in the interest of the oppressor group and the group targeted that will end racism. Our full intellect, capacities and human bond are all at risk
( MARGLES, & MARGLES, 2010).
MARGLES, S., & MARGLES, R. (2010). Inverting Racism's Distortions. Our Schools / Our Selves, 19(3), 137-149.
While I would have been clearly upset about the situation I think I would have to have told the foreign guy the intentions of the rope I think he would have been upset as well. I also don't think I would have worked there to long as well because we continuing to work there would let them know that what they did was ok with me when it really was not.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathleen and MaryJo for your comments and concern. I am happy to say that she is home and doing much better. I also left a comment at the hospital that their nurses need to remember that they chose a profession that, even though it's not easy, is very fulfilling and it means that they must be compassionate and understanding about the people they serve. This like the profession we work in has no place for negative attitudes. It not so much what you say but how you say it. Again I thank you.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, you have shared a very interesting story about racism and prejudice. I often hear from time to time that racism is something we are born with (such as homosexuality), me I disagree; however yes that is in my own opinion. racism is something observed, witnessed, and taught to those first who are not familiar with it; such as the guy who brought the noose. What a horrific indication of not only as a form of answering a question (professionally), but also to use another person to be just as ignorant as he was. Until we do better with placing the right people in the political seats, it will not get any better.
ReplyDeleteSherrell