fighting prejudice
“The French do not know they are French. Australian’s do not know they are Australian. But they are!”
Fernando Flores.
I struggle with prejudice every day. Prejudice against women. Prejudice against older people. Prejudice against younger people. Prejudice against people who have skin that is a different colour to mine. Prejudice against Americans. Prejudice against Europeans.
Even prejudice against you because of who you are..
I don’t always see them but when I do I am upset by them.
The trouble is they are my prejudices.
Because I am a man I rarely know I am a man.
But I am a man.
Because I am my age I rarely know I am my age.
But I am that age.
Because I have my skin I rarely know what colour it is.
But I am that colour.
Because I am Australian I rarely know I am Australian.
But I am Australian.
I don’t always see my prejudices but when I do, I am upset by them.
Some days, like today, I am lucky enough to have them put into stark contrast with the world I inhabit.
I find my self in a room full of people who are many of the things that I am not and I am reminded of the truth of life.
I am and we are. There is no difference between us.
Except maybe for our prejudices.
Does that make acceptance the cure for prejudice?
Is it that simple…….. If we accept before we have the chance to draw prejudice against ……. is that too risky for us????
Powerful writing Paul!!
Thank you G
I am not sure it is that easy. I suspect that prejudices arise before we have a chance to accept people. I am just aiming to become aware of them as soon after they arise as I can so that I can do something about them.
Insight Paul, our prejudice to impact how we see the world and behave within it.