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Recognizing my own bias or prejudice .....
Just Want to Talk | Last Active: Oct 15, 2019 | Replies (173)Comment receiving replies
@ellerbracke I have personally experienced prejudice due to gender/body size/tattoos. To me I look at it as a challenge to hope to show to those people that I am not what they perceive. As to homeless: my brother-in-law is homeless, and has been for well over 20 years. He has been offered a hand up several times, but does not want to follow restrictions like giving up alcohol or drugs. He had a sometimes-job but the company moved, and he refused any assistance. He receives SSI and meal-cards. Several people have suggested to my husband that he should take his brother in, but we know that would not end well, nor would my BIL be happy. He lives sometimes in the riverbed, sometimes in an industrial park. He is not a criminal in the classic sense, but it's criminal the way he let his life go. Just my two cents....
Ginger
Replies to "@ellerbracke I have personally experienced prejudice due to gender/body size/tattoos. To me I look at it..."
@gingerw There is definitely prejudice against overweight people. When I was much heavier I felt like some people acted like being fat was contagious! Some also seemed to treat me like they thought that since I was so overweight that I must be of low intellect, and some treated me like they thought was sort of pathetic. Now that I am substantially less heavy (I never think of myself as anything other than overweight, still, although my BMI is only about 26 now) there is a definite difference in the treatment I get.
I was not overweight before I had children, I gained weight with the pregnancies and not only didn't lose it, but being at home caused me to continue to gain weight. As much as I loved my children, I was bored. I should not have quit work entirely but in those days companies were not as accommodating as they are now. I am the type of person who enjoyed the positive feedback I received from a job.
JK
@gingerw Out here in L.A. the homeless population is rampant . The cities ,states and counties are trying to find shelter for them but so many just want to live on the street . But there are some that disregard humainity and throw trash all over the place there is a big rodent problem because of it . Rats where even in the state office buildings as trash was around there . a lot of the homeless have mental problems also
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@gingerw
You've provided a very thoughtful and interesting perspective, Ginger. I appreciate your insight into the human condition and the differences we all experience.