1. < Just Want to Talk

Recognizing my own bias or prejudice .....

Posted by ellerbracke @ellerbracke, Aug 31, 2019

I know I am very guilty of classifying people in general, and regarding weight in particular. Living in the bible/heart attack/ diabetes belt, it simply blows my mind how many obese people I see every single day when out and about. Granted, fewer of those at Dillard’s than Walmart. Still, in addition to being concerned, I am also judging those people. I know I should not, but how in the world can someone get that fat? It would take years of dedicated overeating to reach that. No, I really don’t think that all of them have a medical issue, seeing what’s in their grocery carts. Someone help me get a less judgmental attitude when I’ve been semi-denying myself all those chips and cookies and fries for decades?? I live and eat well, but treats should be treats, not daily food.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 7, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@ellerbracke I have personally experienced prejudice due to gender/body size/tattoos. To me I look at it..." + (show)
@gingerw

@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

Jump to this post

@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.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Sep 7, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@ellerbracke I have personally experienced prejudice due to gender/body size/tattoos. To me I look at it..." + (show)
@gingerw

@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

Jump to this post

@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

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Sep 8, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@lioness Did you ever see dk chocolate with coconut at Trader Joe’s? Jake" + (show)
@jakedduck1

@lioness
Did you ever see dk chocolate with coconut at Trader Joe’s?
Jake

Jump to this post

@jakedduck1 No I never did just the plain old dk. chocolate

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Sep 8, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@ellerbracke I have personally experienced prejudice due to gender/body size/tattoos. To me I look at it..." + (show)
@gingerw

@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

Jump to this post

@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

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 8, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@gingerw Out here in L.A. the homeless population is rampant . The cities ,states and counties..." + (show)
@lioness

@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

Jump to this post

@lioness My brother-in-law "lives" in Anaheim. When he knows he might be meeting us, he cleans up, but it is apparent he is on the street, nonetheless. I am not sure about mental health evaluation for him, I do know he is an alcoholic and drug addict, again all his choice. The homeless community has a violent side, as they scrabble to survive.
Ginger

REPLY
2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Sep 8, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@lioness My brother-in-law "lives" in Anaheim. When he knows he might be meeting us, he cleans..." + (show)
@gingerw

@lioness My brother-in-law "lives" in Anaheim. When he knows he might be meeting us, he cleans up, but it is apparent he is on the street, nonetheless. I am not sure about mental health evaluation for him, I do know he is an alcoholic and drug addict, again all his choice. The homeless community has a violent side, as they scrabble to survive.
Ginger

Jump to this post

@gingerw. @lioness I think just about all homeless people are either addicts, or have psychological problems. There are some who are there due to difficult circumstances but those homeless people are the ones who trying their best to move forward, not the ones who choose to be homeless and choose to return to it when given opportunities to be employed and have a place to live.
Sane people do not choose to be homeless and live on the street unless their addictions keep them there. My opinion of course.
JK

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Sep 8, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@lioness My brother-in-law "lives" in Anaheim. When he knows he might be meeting us, he cleans..." + (show)
@gingerw

@lioness My brother-in-law "lives" in Anaheim. When he knows he might be meeting us, he cleans up, but it is apparent he is on the street, nonetheless. I am not sure about mental health evaluation for him, I do know he is an alcoholic and drug addict, again all his choice. The homeless community has a violent side, as they scrabble to survive.
Ginger

Jump to this post

@gingerw So true and just recently on the news the video was of a homeless trying to wreck a car ,there have been violence to people and animals also I have heard about. I thank everyday I am safe here and there but God go I .

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Sep 8, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@gingerw. @lioness I think just about all homeless people are either addicts, or have psychological problems...." + (show)
@contentandwell

@gingerw. @lioness I think just about all homeless people are either addicts, or have psychological problems. There are some who are there due to difficult circumstances but those homeless people are the ones who trying their best to move forward, not the ones who choose to be homeless and choose to return to it when given opportunities to be employed and have a place to live.
Sane people do not choose to be homeless and live on the street unless their addictions keep them there. My opinion of course.
JK

Jump to this post

@contentandwell No you are right . remember in 08 the finances where pulled out from everyone the 401,s went to 0 Some lost there homes and had no place to go except the streets those eventually probably found work but the druggies and alcoholics don't care about getting themselves of the streets and into a job or home . Drugs have ruined a lot of people in this country . and violence in videos my opinion

REPLY
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Sep 8, 2019
In reply to @ellerbracke "If you’re into cheeses, TJ is one of the very , very, very few stores (at..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

If you’re into cheeses, TJ is one of the very , very, very few stores (at least near me in SC) that ever carry Camembert cheese. If you don’t know what that is, don’t worry. If you do, and can get it locally, good for you.

Jump to this post

I love cheese and Trader Joe's carries a type called Unexpected Cheddar. It is magnificent. It has those little crunch, crystallized things in it like aged Parmesean. Sooo good and such a bargain - $3.99 for 8 oz.

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Sep 8, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "I love cheese and Trader Joe's carries a type called Unexpected Cheddar. It is magnificent. It..." + (show)
@debbraw

I love cheese and Trader Joe's carries a type called Unexpected Cheddar. It is magnificent. It has those little crunch, crystallized things in it like aged Parmesean. Sooo good and such a bargain - $3.99 for 8 oz.

Jump to this post

@debbra I love chedder will have to look for that sounds yummy

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.