Saturday, February 16, 2013
Bias and Oppression
Early on in my undergraduate program I took a Sociology course. Part of the course was responding to discussion posts of other classmates, however, our instructor wanted us to present new information or challenge information presented in our classmates discussion post. I remember the topic was not a hot button topic at all, but one of my classmates accused me of being closed minded and racist. It was a very demeaning response to my post and not even on topic of what we were discussing. I was very hurt by the remarks as they were completely unfounded and off base. We had not had any formal or informal discussions with one another prior to this and I was shocked by her response to me. My instructor actually removed her post and issued a very stern comment in regards to her post. Later the student emailed me saying she just needed someone to challenge as she felt that the instructor wanted us to do that. While this may be a cloudy example of bias and oppression it sticks with me. I don't understand why this classmate didn't like me and felt that she needed to attack my character, but it was very hurtful to me. After this occurrence I did my best to avoid this classmate and made sure I didn't not comment to her for fear of retribution or retaliation.I think she made me feel inferior in some way, as if I presented myself as lacking integrity. From that point on I did not feel as though she was a classmate or colleague. I think in order to grow and increase equity it takes both parties being willing to compromise. There was a lack of trust built, but over time I believe with commitment from myself and my classmate to improve communication and acceptance of one another this could have been resolved. Upon thinking of this further I wonder based on her email to me if she thought I was someone that would just accept this model of communication without being hurt by her comments?
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Mandy, I am more and more aware of the perspective you have so clearly stated. As the target of prejudice or bias or oppression the person should be strong enough to take it, because the perpetrator had justified their comments. The electronic communication medium has given people the idea they can say what is on their minds without consequence. They are not receiving any physical cues present in face to face conversation. And sadly they think they can l.o.l. at the end of harsh sarcasm or stabbing remarks and make it okay. Certainly a strategy to increase equity is to establish authentic relationships.
ReplyDeleteMandy-
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't understand is how this lady could have known your character well enough to make such claims on it. Since you had not had any correspondance prior to this incident, she was clearly grasping at straws with her accusation. The problem is too many people do things like this. They make assumptions without taking a second look first or cause troubles just for the drama of it. When they bring prejudice and bias into it it just amplifies the problem. Kuduos to you for standing up for yourself and who you really are. I have found myself in similar situations over the yeras and often the person making such accusations is banking on my mild mannered personality keeping me from addressing their comments. And of course as we all know, you can't learn from it, if you don't deal with it.