Friday, 6 December 2013

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression

My memory comes from executing a display competition at work. The day was being celebrated as ' Jamaica Day' wherein each class was given a specific topic to look at for example, food, clothing, music just to name a few. Our group got music to do. We went out and researched the topic and gave our students and parents part to do so as to enhance parents involvement as this is a key element in the education of the young ones (children). On the day of the judging our display our display was the most outstanding one yet we were placed second. After asking a few questions here and there we understood that the master judge and one of the teacher in our group had personal issues, therefore, she used it against us. Now being the person that I am very determined and dedicated towards all that I do I went to the master judge and spoke with her. Surprisingly she was not afraid to say to me, "serve her right because she needs to leave my husband alone." but when I asked my colleague about it she said that they were just good friends.


 The speech of the master judge diminished equity as what she did was not called for, neither was it the time and place to deal with her personal issues. Secondly, no one was aware of the personal matter that existed among them. Therefore, she should not have used that and be biased in judging the display.
With this feeling I felt very disturbed, annoyed and disappointed because professionalism teaches that one should know how to act, conduct themselves as a professional and right there this judge did the opposite.Therefore, in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity I strongly believe that both the master judge and my colleague needs to sit and talk about their issues because in life two wrong do not make a right and sometimes what we think does not always turn out to be true. Therefore, stooping to think and talk about things make a complete difference.
he conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." - See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm#sthash.YXpzEqbp.dpuf
he conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." - See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm#sthash.YXpzEqbp.dpuf
he conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." - See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm#sthash.YXpzEqbp.dpuf
he conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." - See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm#sthash.YXpzEqbp.dpuf
he conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." - See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm#sthash.YXpzEqbp.dpuf
 





4 comments:

  1. Latoya,
    It is so unfortunate that a day of celebration and fun for the children could be effected by personal biases and issues that are not even related to what was presented. Shame on this judge for letting her personal issues influence her authority to appropriately provide fair and equal treatment of all participants. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Latoya,
    I agree with Collett that personal bias should not have gotten in the way in this situation which ultimately affected the children involved. It truly was unfair not only to the teacher but the participating children as well. However, I am glad that you had the courage to speak up against what you knew to be an injustice. I agree thinking your feelings through and taking the time to talk about it would certainly be a much better solution to addressing personal bias rather than acting on it inappropriately.

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  3. This is a shame. A day that should have been celebrated was ruined by someone's personal feelings. What ever happened to leaving your personal life at the door when you get to work? I commend you for standing up for what you believed to be right and keeping your head up also!

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  4. Latoya,

    It is bad when people use their authority and hurt others. Hopefully she answered to someone above her and learned a lesson behind bring her personal issue into play at a fun event.

    Pam

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