The personal side

• 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? 

I recall a time when I was younger and in school, there was a huge issue with lice in the school so the nurse was going around each classroom checking each person head. It was winter time and my mother usually kept my hair in braids. I recall the school nurse coming into the classroom and calling each child to the back of the classroom. It wasn't until that moment that I realized I was the only African American child in the classroom. The nurse finished calling everyone but she didn't call my name. The teacher went back there to ask her why I wasn't called and the nurse said it was because I was black and had braids in my hair. Being so young I didn't realize that there was a logical reason for me not to have my hair checked but I did feel insulted by the comment she made. The teacher still looked a little puzzled so the nurse went on to explain that black people don't get lice therefore I don't need to check her. Not the case however, the teacher left her comments along because she realized that I was able to hear what was going on. I was at that moment that I felt immensely different from the students in my classroom and it made me feel insecure for years to come.

• In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity? What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

This incident brought up some many emotions and I feel that I had more questions for my parents than I did anything else. I felt insecure about the color of my skin, my hair, and the way I carried myself. At the same time I felt slightly at ease knowing that I didn't have to worry about bugs in my hair. I went home and asked my mother why I didn't get checked and the incident that occurred at school with the nurse. She was upset but was able to explain the reason why I wasn't check which ultimately reassured me and increased my confidence.

• What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

I feel that the nurse would need to change her way of explaining things to others in an effort to not insult anyone's race. If she had mentioned that I wasn't checked for lice because oils keep the lice away and my scalp was oiled then that would be a different story. The information she gave the teacher left her confused and didn't inform anyone of how lice can be contracted, treated, etc.