I am facing it!!

[AKCrash 0]

Here is my final project in one of my classes called: Equity in schools and workplaces. The project title is Let's Face It! The purpose of this project is to identify and face a prejudice or bias, document the process, and pass it on. I hope no one gets offended by this. Trust me, it wasn't easy for me to post it publicly, but that's part of the project requirements.

Step 1: Admit your bias or prejudice and realize that you have learned this bias or prejudice from life experiences.

Although I would love to think that I have no problems with any type of people and I don’t discriminate against anyone, I will have to admit that there are people who I find it very hard for me to get along with for no specific reason against that individual just something their people did. At the same time, I do find myself creating good relationships with people even from the ethnicities that I discriminate against to some level. I personally find myself prejuidice against European people. I have developed the sense of being bias against Europeans due to my few visits to Europe

Step 2: Acknowledge that the root of this bias or prejudice is WITHIN and commit to exploring the cause from the inside out.

The root of this bias or prejudice comes from my own experiences in Europe. Although I am not in a position which gives me much experience about European people, but from what I had experienced, I have created several negative thoughts about them.


Step 3: Conduct a moral inventory of your bias or prejudice and how it evidences itself in your thoughts, words and actions.

Since I was asked to do this project, I tried to monitor my actions toward Europeans and see how my actions evidences itself in the fact that I am being prejudice against them. However, I failed to catch myself doing something negative because in reality I was monitoring my actions. On the other hand, I remember once I was introduced to a French skydiver at my local dropzone, He asked me where I was from. When I said Saudi Arabia, I did notice some changes in his expressions (A few don’t!). Similarly, I asked him where he was from; he said France. I too had a negative reaction to that.

Step 4: Admit to your self and at least one other person the exact nature of your prejudice or bias and any theories you have about the fear it may be rooted in or where you learned it.

I have admitted this issue toward myself and my roommates. I also have asked them to talk about it in order to get their input. We have reached the conclusion that I may be prejudice against Europeans because I haven’t had the chance to spend a good amount of time over there. Therefore, I may not have seen the positive side of those people. On the other hand, when I spend more time with this kind of people, I would have a chance to see the good and the bad about them.

Step 5: Make a list of persons this prejudice or bias has harmed and consider ways in which you might make direct amends; then if possible make amends to these people and to yourself.

I had to think about this step for a while. However, due to the bias issues I had, I really limited my interactions with the people who could get a negative feedback from my actions. The only example I could think of is the French skydiver mentioned in step three. This individual turned out to be a great guy. As a matter of fact, we intended to make a skydive together. However, I lost sight of him right after exit because of the significant difference in fall rate (Yes I drop like a rock). But we shared laughs on the ground.

Step 6: CHECK your prejudice and bias and make a conscious effort to UNLEARN and/or get beyond this habit of thought.

I have to admit that I don’t have any European friends and I don’t interact with them that much because I don’t run to many of them around here. However, during my preparation to this project, I thought about my interactions with European individuals recently. First one comes in mind is one of my skydiving instructors named Paul. Paul had been a great help for me during my student status and throughout my skydiving career. Another Swiss skydiver was a great help for me when I broke my leg from skydiving (the second time). This individual was a paramedic and he made sure that he stabilized me until the rescue arrived.

Step 7: Let’s Face it . . .together. Having recognized the root cause of your own prejudice or bias, and having identified the fears that support it and damage it has caused, share what you have learned with others.

I learned that I shouldn’t come to conclusion against anybody and not be judgmental. Although I was stripped out of my clothes in Heathrow Airport in London, that doesn’t mean that all British people are bias or racist. Even though the French government doesn’t allow Muslim female students to wear their religious cover, not all French people abuse others’ religious beliefs. It’s very important to realize that in any ethnicity, race and origin, there is the good and the bad. Therefore, individuals should be held liable to their own actions not the people’s who look like them or come from the same place they do actions. Finally, I encourage people to face their prejudice and bias because they may see the world differently if they did so.


- Amer

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" Franklin

[Bolas 5]

I think you hit the nail on the head. Most biases and prejudices come from misunderstanding and bad past experiences of misunderstanding. People from different ethnic groups, cultures, backgrounds, values, beliefs, and customs will think differently. It doesn't mean anyone is "wrong" but both sides need to understand each other to communicate clearly.

Of course every group also just has their assholes.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[lippy 918]

I'm biased against whitey, but he just keeps beatin me down

I got nuthin

[Squeak 17]

a bunch of that seems like a bit of a rework from 12 step programs (not a bad thing)

Self reflection can be very good fot you

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[gigles 0]

After reading your interesting post I must admit I am one of those who has a prejudice/bias. I have been in my particular field for over ten years now and have felt a tremendous pressure from a certain group of people that obviously share some of the same skills/interests as I. I hate to sound condesending but this group continually has a severe effect on my pay scale and the ability to find a job. Although I try to 'read' every person individually and not hold a bias, I find that I do in fact hold 'grudges' against certain people regardless of talent. I do believe though that the right person should recieve the 'right' job. I am still angry that non-citizens can have the opportunity for the same job I am usually more qualified for. I take a huge amount of pride in the job I do and I have yet to meet my equal. With all things considered I feel equality in the workplace should be just that...equal regardless of race. If a particular occupation has 100 qualified white applicants and 10 of any other nationalities then the ratio should be MOST QUALIFIED/1 no matter what. Let whitey win only if he is most qualified. Cheap labor = cheap results!

[AKCrash 0]

Quote

I think you hit the nail on the head.

I hope my instructor shares your thought.

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" Franklin

[AKCrash 0]

I too must admit that I am very proud to have the thread of your first post. I am very glad that you found the post interesting.. So what do you do?!

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" Franklin