Saturday, August 10, 2013

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

           My memory I have of an incident I had experienced bias, prejudice, and oppression is when I was about 12 or 13 years of age. I remember I would be so excited when dad would come home riding in the wagon. I would be waiting for my dads’ I would be so excited sitting on the front porch. When I see that wagon coming. I would jump off the porch I could not wait for dad to get to the house. I would go meet my dads’ my oldest brothers’ would get so angry with me. Called me the worst name I could hear. Joseph would jump off that wagon and go into the house. My heart will just be so sad, and Cousin Leroy would take his penis out every time, and wet in my face. I will just take my hands and cover my face cousin Leroy just laugh in my face. I would not never tell dad because I was afraid that dad would go away, and I would not see him no more. My cousin was bias against me because I was loved dad, and he loved my sister’s Earnestine.

            The ways bias, prejudice and oppression the incident diminish equity Joseph did not like or accepted the fact that I was not old enough to go to the field. Cousin Leroy could not deal with that I loved dad, and I was excited to see dad. Cousin Leroy shown bias toward me for my sister Earnestine. Because she was his favor, and he hated me because of love for my dad’s. This incident brought me up by never to have a respected person and people will hate you because of that three letter word LOVE. I taught me to love people even if they do not love. Because it is not what people do to me it is what I do to people that what matter.

            I think that my brother’s and Cousin Leroy because of the hate they had toward me. Only because I was a young child and was not able to go and work in the field. Cousin Leroy hated me because I would never go and visit him, but I chose to stay with dad. After all these were two grown people they should have known better. I was just a child and just wanted to be with my best friend, dad the man. Most people were bias toward dad because he was a black man but dad loved his children.

4 comments:

  1. Hey Ceder,
    I enjoyed reading the experiences you had with bias, prejudice, and oppression. My heart was filled with sadness and my face was wet with tears. No child should have gone through that kind of pain, I am sorry. Individuals that hurt other people intentionally do not rely that when you dig one dish, you better dig two. Also, you took me back to my childhood days when my parents had the mule and wagon. To me, those were some of the best days of my like. Stay strong and continue to reach your goal. Thanks for being so brave.
    Ida!!

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  2. Wow! Cedar, I am so sorry that you experienced such horrific torment as a little girl. I could not imagine what my life would be like today if that had happened to me. I commend you for overcoming such awful oppression. If you were 12 or 13, then your cousin had to be at least 17, 18 or older and he had no right to treat you that way no matter who you loved or didn’t love. Some people have been treated badly in their life or have been the victim of oppression themselves and that makes them angry. From reading your post, it seemed like your cousin was jealous of your relationship with your dad. Was your cousin’s father in his life? He also hated the fact that he had to work hard in the fields while you sat home and played. Pure jealously!! Have you ever told anyone about this? Have your cousin ever apologized for treating you this way? If not, I think it is time for you to face these demons of your past so that you can begin the healing process.

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  3. Cedar,
    Like our other colleagues, I was amazed at the horrific things that were done to you as a child. Throughout this course you have shared many bad experiences with us and I think you are a remarkable woman to have not only overcome these experiences but also to have the positive attitude you have. You have been a blessing for me in this course because every time I read your blogs, I understood how truly diverse our experiences have been. Thank you for being an inspiration to me. The people you work with and the children you serve are very lucky to have you as a role model not only for diversity but for strong character.

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  4. I am very sorry to hear about your childhood experiences. I know sometimes when I think of prejudice, oppression and personal biases my first thought is what I have encountered in the world outside of my home. It is very true that sometimes those who are of flesh and blood cause the most damage. It is amazing to hear about what others have experienced in their life. Your experiences have made you strong and have contributed to who you are today. Continue to press on.

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