Connect
← Return to Recognizing my own bias or prejudice .....
Discussion
Recognizing my own bias or prejudice .....
Just Want to Talk | Last Active: Oct 15, 2019 | Replies (173)Comment receiving replies
Hi @ellerbracke! I'm a little late to the table but I thought I'd chime in to respond to your original post. I've definitely had my fair share of prejudiced beliefs and also grew up in the good old Bible Belt (I say, with sarcasm and love).
It's really tough to not only let go of prejudiced beliefs but to GENUINELY understand why you should. If someone is highly overweight and we also see them making bad eating choices in front of us, we might wonder, why are they doing this to themselves?
I think there are a lot of reasons why people make choices that we don't understand. I'm a thin person and I don't understand how fat people navigate life, but I do know that the world isn't built for them. Airplane seats, bus seats, train seats are for thin people like me, and our culture shames fat people, characterizing them as ugly/monstrous/etc. I'm convinced that the key to beating prejudice isn't so much to understand every little reason as to why people do what they do, but to have empathy for them, whatever circumstance they may be in.
May be easier said than done, but as a LGBT person, I try and translate my perspective to others. I hate when people ask me: why, why, why? Why are you gay? Why do you prefer this type of hair, or this type of lifestyle? Why not something else? When I speak to people who don't need to understand why I make the choices I do, it feels like a breath of fresh air. I feel like that in itself is empathy.
Replies to "Hi @ellerbracke! I'm a little late to the table but I thought I'd chime in to..."
@ayeshasharma Really? "Why are you gay?" That's like asking me why do I have (had mostly) freckles and red hair! Even the Catholic Church says that God made people that way, it is not a choice. I am amazed that in this day and age people still think it is a choice.
It breaks my heart that one of my daughter's friends who is a Lesbian has been disowned by her parents. When she got married they would not go to the wedding. I will never understand that.
JK
@ayeshasharma What a breath of fresh air you bring to this conversation. I too want to have a button that is a bigger heart to press! Thank you for reminding us all that it is ALWAYS better to take the path that is inclusive... not exclusive.
Connect
@ayeshasharma
Hi,
Empathy is the key word in your post. Let me say that I am flabbergasted that, in today’s world, someone would ask you why you are gay. I can’t imagine how you respond to that or if you feel it is necessary to do so, or how often that occurs.
I still get amazed when someone in my age bracket (78) says to me , in a low voice...he (she) is gay or he(she) is biracial.....like no one should overhear what they just said. I just sat say yeah...and....? Then they get embarrassed.
But people are clueless. Not that this was prejudice, but once, about 10 years ago, when flying alone...I told one of the airline personnel that I was extremely hard of hearing and won’t hear if my row is called to board. They did this in groups. She asked me if I needed a wheelchair. Really...I just smiled..didn’t have to heart for one of my usual retorts.
And yes, the world is not made to accommodate overweight or obese individuals. I often wonder how they feel in certain situations.
Regards from FL Mary