The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression - Week 6 EDUC 6164
The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and
Oppression
A memory that I
have of an incident when I experienced prejudice happened recently. Currently,
I work in an environment in which I am the oldest person. The majority of my
colleagues are in their twenties and early thirties. I often feel as though I
am experiencing prejudice due to my age. The way people interact with me or
leave me out of things I think has to do with my age. People are often shocked
to learn that I am in my forties. All the time people tell me I look like I am
in my early thirties. However, once my current colleagues find out my real age,
they tend to treat me differently and isolate me more. Recently, I was at a gathering
at a new colleague’s home. We were all sitting in the living room when the topic
of everyone’s age started. Everyone went around the room and talked about how old
they were. I never provided my age, but a colleague stated that I was the
oldest in the room. Then another colleague stated that I was a lot older than
them. However, someone else mentioned that I looked good for my age. At this
point in the conversation, I felt uncomfortable and a little embarrassed to
still be there. I left shortly after this conversation. I believe that due to
stereotypical assumptions about people in their forties the group of people began
to exclude me from the conversation.
By everyone knowing that I was much older than they thought that incident diminished the equity by changing the way people had previously viewed me. Their assumptions about me had changed. In order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity I think a couple things would need to change. I think my employer could hire more qualified people that are older in age. I think people should avoid asking each other their age and focus on getting to knowing people. In addition, I think I should be prouder of my age and find ways to engage in activities with people of older and younger ages then myself.
Sounds like I am reading my life story. I too have experienced colleagues singling me out/isolating me at times when it comes to conversations or even being invited to gatherings after finding out I was in my 40s, married with children. There were times when I would get so frustrated when people would joke about my age and say things like, "you look so young, never age-huh." How do you feel about possibly being carded at restaurants or even not being carded for other instances? Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds really difficult to handle. It isn't right for people to leave you out just because you're older. If anything, they should look to you for help when it comes to the job, especially if you've been there longer than them. I agree that you should be proud of your age, however ! Despite how society talks about getting older, I don't think it's a terrible thing. I also agree that your job should hire some more people of older age so that you aren't singled out so much.
ReplyDeleteI am going through the same thing at work. I'm 25 and the youngest teacher at the center compared to everyone else being 35 and up. I am left out with everything but it doesn't really bother me anymore.
ReplyDelete