What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or
witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or
oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real
contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones,
such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.
My friends and I experienced prejudice during a stay at a well known hotel chain in downtown Washington D.C. A friend of mine rented out two rooms for us to use to help ring in the new year. The hotel was built with a large atrium with a skylight which created open hallways on every floor. We could see down to the lobby and across the building to rooms on the other side as well as every floor. While celebrating within the hour before and after midnight our group was harassed and threats were made that we would be thrown out due to the noise level. We were extremely upset as we were not the only ones celebrating with children running around the large circular halls and people shouting congratulations throughut the building. We of course knew this for a fact as we could see and hear it occurring due tot he building's design. The only difference is that we were young twenty something black adults and everyone else was white.
In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
Equity was diminished when we no longer received the same treatment as everyone else in the building. The manager never approached any other rooms or even asked the children who ran past him where their parents were. After the incident we decided to take our celebration out of he building and try going to a bar. This was upsetting because we purposefully tried to have a safe new year's by celebrating at the hotel rather than being out.We were watched the entire time the group made its way out to the street with a security guard following us out and watching as we stood outside the entrance and planned where to go.
What feelings did this incident bring up for you?
This incident reminded me that even in my hometown that is one of the most diverse cities in teh world and has been for a while now, I am not safe from bias and prejudice. I felt like a criminal as we were watched and followed out the door the hotel we had paid a premium price to stay in during he holiday weekend. I felt less than others.
What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?
This is an extremely difficult question as it would require a change in societal perception and action to make this an opportunity for greater equity. It is not clear where the complaint intially came from weather it was another patron of the hotel or the management itself, however both would need to change. If a noise complaint was made then the management should have treated everyone fairly and either approached each room in a calm,respectful and professional manner and asked every guest to return to their rooms and to keep their volume down. If this had occured my friends and I would not have minded the request and would have quickly complied. Instead we weren't given a warning and were essentially verbally attacked by the management as though we were criminals rather than paying guests.
My friends and I experienced prejudice during a stay at a well known hotel chain in downtown Washington D.C. A friend of mine rented out two rooms for us to use to help ring in the new year. The hotel was built with a large atrium with a skylight which created open hallways on every floor. We could see down to the lobby and across the building to rooms on the other side as well as every floor. While celebrating within the hour before and after midnight our group was harassed and threats were made that we would be thrown out due to the noise level. We were extremely upset as we were not the only ones celebrating with children running around the large circular halls and people shouting congratulations throughut the building. We of course knew this for a fact as we could see and hear it occurring due tot he building's design. The only difference is that we were young twenty something black adults and everyone else was white.
In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
Equity was diminished when we no longer received the same treatment as everyone else in the building. The manager never approached any other rooms or even asked the children who ran past him where their parents were. After the incident we decided to take our celebration out of he building and try going to a bar. This was upsetting because we purposefully tried to have a safe new year's by celebrating at the hotel rather than being out.We were watched the entire time the group made its way out to the street with a security guard following us out and watching as we stood outside the entrance and planned where to go.
What feelings did this incident bring up for you?
This incident reminded me that even in my hometown that is one of the most diverse cities in teh world and has been for a while now, I am not safe from bias and prejudice. I felt like a criminal as we were watched and followed out the door the hotel we had paid a premium price to stay in during he holiday weekend. I felt less than others.
What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?
This is an extremely difficult question as it would require a change in societal perception and action to make this an opportunity for greater equity. It is not clear where the complaint intially came from weather it was another patron of the hotel or the management itself, however both would need to change. If a noise complaint was made then the management should have treated everyone fairly and either approached each room in a calm,respectful and professional manner and asked every guest to return to their rooms and to keep their volume down. If this had occured my friends and I would not have minded the request and would have quickly complied. Instead we weren't given a warning and were essentially verbally attacked by the management as though we were criminals rather than paying guests.
Kara,
ReplyDeleteI found myself exhaling with disgust after reading your post. As a white woman, I cannot truly feel the extent of your frustration, however I can say that I am sorry that you and your friends experienced such blatant discrimination on New Year's Eve. I'm curious, did you end up paying for your stay at the hotel or did you write a letter of complaint about the way you were treated? Dr Sue explains that often recipients of microaggressions don't speak up because of the catch 22 affect (Laureate Education, 2011). They are afraid that they will be perceived as overly sensitive. I am interested in your thoughts.
References
Video: Laureate Education (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life, Retrieved from:
https://class.waldenu.edu
Christine,
DeleteThank you for your response. We did not voice our complaints and we paid our bill upon checking out the next morning. For us we just wanted to put the event behind us as quickly as possible. We were also in a vulnerable place considering it was New Year's Eve and we had all consumed alcohol with the comfort of knowing no one had to drive ( the whole point of getting the hotel in the downtown area). We could not risk being thrown out. By morning we all just wanted to get home and move on. Of course we have never returned the to the hotel and have shared our experiences with others to discourage them from using the hotel either. I think in this case it was helpful that there were so many of us to experience it and support each other through it. Had the event happened to just one one two people they may have questioned the reality of the event and their sensitivity to it.
Kara,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about the bias and prejudice you had experienced that New Years Eve. Like you stated it is not fair that you were singled out that day. I think there are two ism's in this instance though; ageism and racism. Had you all been a different age maybe the situation would not have occurred.