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 few years ago I was getting my Associate degree at the local
community college. I watched and listen to a lady talk to her child like she
was worthless because he had a learning disability. She was upset because she
had no one to watch her. The lady had no daycare or family to keep her. Another
thing that made me upset was she assumed that people belittled the child and
told her she was stupid and no one wanted to keep her. I really wanted to tell
the lady that this was her child and how could she talk to her own child that
way. Looking back today I think about my grandson with his disability and how
he needs all the love and care he can get. Children are helpless and they look
for the adult to protect and care for them. She made it like it was the child’s
fault that she didn’t have anyone to watch her while she attended school. How
can a parent belittle their own child when you are the one to protect them from
that.
In
what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident
diminish equity?
I’m not a doctor but from years of experience and studying child
development it seems the little girl may have autism. I say this because of how
the mom was yelling at the child and his reaction. The mom said things to her
like you don’t know anything, your dumb, you’re a waste of space and while she
was saying these things the little girl was having a break down because of the
noise and extra attention. She was rocking back and forth humming to herself. I
was sitting in the courtyard of the school at a table reading some assignments
and the lady and child was at the table in front of me. I was hoping someone
besides me was listening to and would say something. I end up saying how can
you talk to your own child this way. Your child deserves to be loved. This poor
child had endured more than anyone should ever have to and no one thought she
was worth the time because as her mother had told her she was disabled and she
had no idea what was going on. I just knew this child needed someone to stand up
for her.
What
feelings did this incident bring up for you?
This incident made me feel like people are ignorant and people
that have a disability are rejected by their own family at times. It also made me
think that children need people in this world that want to take time with them even
if their own parents don’t.
What and/or who would have to change
in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?
I was already going to school to work with small children but
this really was my point where I wanted to work with children with disabilities.
This is what made my decision to work for a Head Start program where 10% of
children have a disability. It also was my choice to work for Head Start because
I wanted to offer children an opportunity to learn. Head Start is also free for
low income families so this would give them the opportunity to work or go to
school. Also the children with disabilities will receive free services that
will help with their education. This also may be the only time the child gets the
love and attention they need. This one small
helpless child had to deal with bias, prejudice and oppression by her own mother.
Amazing to look back and see that changing point in your life was a moment in
time.
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