Though we are loathe to admit, we all have a certain amount of bias in our human make-up. Either from experience or upbringing, the prejudices against color, religion, national origin or gender exist in varying degrees. I think we may finally be realizing there is an inherent advantage in being a white male. Probably why they are so often the butt of humorous sit-com situations as a subtle and devious way of others trying to get the upper hand.
Also I believe (or hope) that we are starting to realize our prejudices and are doing something about it. Though I am not the author it is true that "there is never a more dangerous people than those who have nothing to lose". Sitting back mildly and being discriminated against, maimed and killed on a daily basis has finally reached a boiling point and black and brown men and women are taking things into their own hands. I hope we are listening.
I also firmly believe children are born innocent and are influenced as they go through life possibly out of the fear that some people have for those different from themselves. Any one who still thinks the Civil War was about State's rights needs to leave the table now. It was about maintaining a lifestyle, complete with fringe benefits, through the repugnant idea that it was alright to enslave other human beings that were not considered human. What is especially galling and gut wrenching is that there are many Americans who still believe the lie today, civil rights be damned.
In examining my own experiences, and with the benefit of hindsight, my earliest recollection is playing with a little girl who lived across the field behind a large roadside sign near my Grandmother's house. I went to her house once and, though the memory is indistinct, I remember I thought it was odd that they had dirt floors. When I push my memory further I seem to see their skin color was not like mine although it made no impression at the time. Then one day they were gone. All I remember is I missed my friend. Though my Grandmother had a derogatory term for people of color I saw nothing but a little girl who liked to play games and throw a ball around.
I also remembered a boy when I was in grammar school who was my friend and again the odd reactions he had around certain people, including another young friend of mine. He was Jewish. All it meant to me was he went to a different church. Even worse I remember a family that lived on the corner who had the most beautiful lawn. The father worked on it constantly and it was as soft and plush as a putting green. One night someone burned a symbol on his lawn ruining it. This was in the 50's and I could not understand why someone would do that. My parents did not excuse the behavior and said it was wrong. The family was from Hawaii so I can only imagine they were Asian. Again that they looked different from my family made no impression on me. But I will never forget how shocking the lawn looked after the vandalism and could not understand why.
The divider and chief's remarks this week about "suburban housewives (who are they?) won't have to be afraid as he won't let low income people (read black) in their neighborhood due to fair housing regulations" got me thinking. (Most of us are working and pack pistols so not sure if he is using a time machine).
It took until college to understand the long-standing prejudice against non-white people moving into the suburbs. A classmate related how his father could not get a loan at a reasonable cost and realtors would literally steer him to "certain neighborhoods". Because, of course, being approved for a loan and buying a house allows one to achieve equity which can then be parlayed into a better life. A better neighborhood means a better tax-based school district which prepares the student for higher education. So starting behind the proverbial "eight ball" due to long-standing discriminatory policies, virtually guarantees the "non-desirable" would never achieve anything and thus could safely be accused of acting lazy and unmotivated . Funny how all that works.
As a child of Roy and Shirley it never occurred to me I would be treated differently because I was of the female species. We were exposed to everything and told we could accomplish anything. I learned.
After marriage I was working and a member of a credit union affiliated with my company. My husband and I signed for a car loan. The car was in my name, my paycheck was directly deposited and the payment came out of my deposit. After paying off the car I went back for another loan. After the paperwork was completed I was asked to "bring my husband in to sign on the loan"! Say what? To their surprise and I hope education I immediately cancelled my account and went my merry way.
Working in a non-traditional field of employee safety and usually the only woman, led to many interesting encounters and situations. Finding bathrooms and privacy were usually a challenge. Always carry extra tissues & hand sanitizer, learn to prop your foot against the door and never ladies, and I mean never, use the porta-potty on a construction site. I got quite skillful at locating places to change from office garb to work garb enroute to an emergency. The boots were a challenge however.
For example, upon receiving word of an electrocution at a worksite about a mile from the office and not knowing what I would find, I ditched the quick change act and hit the area in a dress coat and 3-inch heels. Signaling a worker to be ready I launched myself over the short barrier into his arms and slogged through the mud, blood and beer to the injured worker. They were just applying the paddles to bring him back when I got there.
Digress: It is not nice and neat like it is on television. When defibrillators are applied to a person the view and end result are both terrifying and gross.
After two rounds they were able to revive the man and bring him to the hospital. He survived but was never able to do electrical work again. Humorous side note: Arriving at the hospital I looked ok on top but 3 inches of mud were clinging to my shoes. In my best stern voice I said "I'm here representing the employer". Okie dokie.
One has to be strong, confident and unyielding when following up at the hospital after an accident. Once on a inspection with the Union Safety Director I got a call that a guy was down at the plant and they smelled booze on him (this was 8 am!) I said "transport him, don't say anything and I'll meet you there." After arriving at the emergency room, they naturally addressed the bearded, older union skate to talk about the patient. I stepped up and said "you will talk to me, I'm the employer". LOL. The emergency doctor later told me the patient had a 3.0 breath alcohol level. He didn't know how he was conscious, much less working. Well technically I guess he wasn't.
Credibility is always an expected and hard-fought battle for anyone , but sometimes it was more than just disdain for the newbie. My first visit to the Fire Department as the new Safety Director led to the following conversation with the Deputy Chief. He: "You'll never make it with these guys". Me: "Ok, tell me more". He: "Number 1, you're not a firefighter". True enough, but then he had to go on. "Also, you're a woman". Poker face intact I realized I would not get far with this dude, but eventually won the respect of the rank and file by getting them equipment and training that they wanted and needed. Go with your strengths I say.
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