The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

 I was raised in a very small town in the South. I remember when I was in the 8th grade. A Caucasian family moved into town. The family had a boy my age and his younger sister. The boy was placed in my class at school.  My best friend who was an African American girl (Amy) and the Caucasian boy (Ken) decided to become girlfriend and boyfriend.  In the late 60’s the idea of a Caucasian boy dating an African American girl in the south was not accepted.  This relationship brought forth an uproar within the school among the teachers, principal and some of the student. They both was harassed by teachers, students, cafeteria staff, and custodian of the school.   The teachers of both race gather Amy and Ken together for mandatory meetings. Within the meeting, the teachers began to explain why their relationship was not acceptable at school. I remember the principal meeting with the parents of my friends. This interracial relationship was so discriminated against that my best friend and her family moved out of the county a few weeks later.

 Now that I am aware of internal oppression I can see how this incident could have effected many internally who was involved in the situation. Incidents such as this is degrading and humiliating. They destroy ones self-esteem and self-worth.

As we know prejudices is a learn behavior and children do not automatically display this behavior, in the late 60’s children were introduced to prejudices behavior through adults actions. Today our society is more acceptable to interracial relationships. I am glad things has change enough that people are free to have relationships with whom they choose.