My personal experience of a bias happens more often than
usual. Since I am heavy set, people always assume that I am heavy because all I
do is eat food constantly. Yet if they really took the time to observe me and
learn more, I am an athlete and the majority of my “fat” comes from muscles. I
am an extremely picky eater and I sometimes only eat once or twice a day.
Equity is diminished because everyone wants to assume that
people that are heavy are pure fat and they get that way because of what they
eat. When in reality there can be all types of health conditions and genetic
disorders that make them seem larger than everyone else. My biggest issue with
the assumption of others is that not everyone is built the same and I believe
that is for a reason beyond my control. This incident makes me upset for those
that are ignorant to pass judgment on someone for situations they don’t know. I
hope as an educator I can always obtain and remain clear minded about children
and their family’s situations. I think society’s view on body types and images
needs to change before this incident has an opportunity for greater equity. If
society didn’t tell people that blonde hair blue eyes were the norm and beauty,
then I believe people wouldn’t pass judgment on others so quickly.
Keisha,
ReplyDeleteI certainly share the experience of this particular bias. I grew up in a family where all the females were heavy--me included. As a teenager, I often wondered why people were so brutal in their insults toward me. I know now that it stemmed from their own insecurities. I think you are absolutely right when you say that society's views will have to change in order for there to be greater equity for those with different body types. Sadly, negative media influence is stronger than ever it seems, and now I hear of government programs singling out overweight people for scrutiny as part of some new "War on Obesity". I was appalled to hear of a billboard campaign that pictured overweight children with shocking captions about their weight plastered over the sign. My heart breaks for any overweight child who sees those hateful billboards. There are times when I think that overweight people have become an easy target for insecure people to ridicule--ridicule that is seemingly sanctioned by the ever-powerful media and, now, even by government. I wonder what that particular "ism" is called? I also wonder if we will ever have a society in which all people can just live in harmony, regardless of race, body type, ethnicity, sexual orientation, economic status...? Until we have a society full of individuals with high self-esteem and resiliency, there will always be those trying to make themselves feel more significant by judging someone else.
Keisha,
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at your photo you do not look heavy set to me at all. I am sad that people constantly judge based on surface perceptions. I agree with you, why does the cause of weight have to be due to eating? Sometimes weight gain comes from the birth of a child, surgery or a health condition. As humans our minds do not allow us to reflect before we speak, we have hidden biases, even when we are unaware of it. Your story is one that can educate and I am glad that you were bold enough to share. Thank You!
Alice Jones