I think that the last time I encountered a bias or prejudice incident was when Barack Obama was running for president.
There was a lot of slang and prejudice words said on social media, I seen many friendships split and change after the election. I think that sometimes a person's true colors comes out over a period of time. I found out there were a of hateful people out there. Students at my cousins college did a few violent acts and she was afraid to attend school because she was black. She felt unsafe and waited a few days before she returned. It doesn't matter the color of your skin,ethical background or gender to run for president.
In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
What feelings did this incident bring up for you?
I realized that there were a lot of prejudice people out there and that we have to be careful with what we say and do. My grandmother told me to be safe because she didn't know what kind of situations would arise after the election. Many people seemed angry and frustrated after he became president. I remember going to the post office and people standing in line rolled their eyes and became irritable. I then sat back and thought to myself has this world really changed or are people covering up the hate and animosity that lingers down deep inside.
What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?
I think that prejudice acts can not be change unless the person themselves want to change. I know that change can come over time but it has to happen from within. Your heart you mind and soul has to renewed this is a cultural aspect that has been going on for generations. I don't like to talk about it but it is true people are racist and actually hate others because of the color of their skin. I hope that one day things will change and others will see that we are all equal, we all have red blood flowing through our veins, we all cry tears of sadness or joy and "we are the United States of America"(Barack Obama).
I disagree with you on the last statement you made, because I think the reason why people are racist is because they are not educated. That is the problem in today's society and why so many people are going to vote for Donald Trump even though is a blatant misogynist, racist, xenophobe, and completely ignorant of facts. If people were better educated, they would not be afraid of each other anymore because they would no longer be ignorant of each other's differences and similarities. Ignorance is what drives people's fear of each other. Education would also stop all of the police brutality against everyone. They would not jump to conclusions so quickly if they were better trained to react properly. The very fact that Obama was elected, not once, but twice is a positive sign that times are changing for the better, and if our next president happens to be a woman, that will be another positive sign for change. All little girls around the US would see that they too could grow up to be a president or anything else they wanted to be. Maybe if Hillary is the first woman president she will make changes to laws that will benefit women by giving them equal pay and opportunities in the workforce and she will initiate change in the police force to stop all of the murders that are occurring every day.
ReplyDeleteHello Iris,
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect example of bias and prejudices that was played out on the world stage. I too noticed the negativity that surrounded the early days of President Obama's term that has continued to today. There were many disrespectful acts that took place, but one I act that has been continued, is addressing him as Mr. Obama, that is so sad to me.
I also experienced a shifting and difference in relationships with some white associates that I had after the election. It was as if they were angry because blacks and others came out in record numbers and voted. Indeed there were changes or just their true selves coming forth.
Iris,
ReplyDeleteI can completely understand the trauma that your cousin felt. I was too in college when President Obama ran for his second term and there were so many racial remarks that were said that were very offensive to me and my race as a whole. People that speak those negative remarks are ignorant. I will not say they are not educated because they may be, but ignorance is the lack of knowledge. God blesses over babies and fool and they are just foolish. It is not reason earthly possible to hate an entire race. I have not other word for that but foolish and ignorant. We must stand and scream equality for all and make the statement that we all matter and are all equally important.