The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

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.

Prejudice is an experience that anyone who has encountered, probably wants to forget.  I can recall a time that my husband and I were shopping for jewelry in our casual clothes in the mall.  We weren’t wearing no observable high end brands and we were young.  When we entered the jewelry store, the employees saw us enter, but didn’t greet us.  So we began looking at the jewelry when another couple entered the store.  This couple was dressed up quite nicely as if they were on their way to a fancy dinner.  The employees seem to race to greet them.  They offered to clean the couple’s rings while they shopped.  They were shown the latest in the type of jewelry they were shopping for while we were never even greeted.  My husband told me that they didn’t approach us because we appeared to have no money while the other couple seemed to have plenty proving they would be more serious about purchasing additional high end jewelry.  Because of how we were ignored we chose to take our business elsewhere, but before we left my husband approached the employee at the counter and told him that they just missed out on the sale of our wedding rings.  This is really a minor prejudice compared to many other experiences but I wanted to point this one out because sometimes prejudice occurs when you least expect it and in all forms. 

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

This prejudice that my husband and I experienced made me realize that it can be seen in many forms and experienced by many. 

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What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

I felt angry and hurt.  I couldn’t understand what I had wrong.  I really do not like when people assume something about me when they have no idea.

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

When my husband spoke to the employees he was not mean about his comment, but firm and to the point.  His speaking up about what they missed out on because of their prejudice gave them a chance to see what they were doing and the consequences of their choices.  I am not sure what else could have been done in order to change the events.