Prejudice (Posted on MySpace 12/04/06)

Dec 4, 2006

Prejudice

prej·u·dice [prej-uh-dis] - an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.

I run a program called CPS Mentor Moms. It's a program for pregnant and parenting teens, and because it's funded by Chicago Public Schools, I spend majority of my time in the schools. I have had 3 encounters this school year with the assistant principal at one of the schools. Each time she has given me a really hard time, and I could never understand why, until today. It hit me. I think she has a hard time accepting my position according to my age. I think because I'm a young lady (and because I may sometimes LOOK even younger), she feels the need to verify everything I do, as though I'm too incompetent to do the job for which I have been hired. When I met with her today so she could sign a letter to verify my work in the school, and she refused to sign the letter. She wanted to talk to this person and talk to that person so she could know this and so she could know that. In essence, she wanted to go over my head to verify that what I was doing was legit. She speaks to me almost as though I am beneath her. It's like she uses me to proove her authority. I wanted to remind her that I have a degree, I am gainfully employeed, and I am NOT your child nor one of your students. I wanted to tell her, "I'm not here to work FOR you, I'm here to work WITH you to provide support and assistance to your students." All I needed was her signature. But I didn't say any of those thoughts. I didn't express my opinions. I smiled. I nodded. And I wished her well as I left the meeting empty-handed. An hour later she phoned me to let me know the letter was ready for me to pick up, complete with my signiture. I guess she verified that it was legit, I dunno, but she took up more of my time than I had to spare.

Comments

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  SyLinda Menafee I'm proud of you for not speaking your mind. It was probably your professionalism that prompted her to sign the papers when she did. Politeness will tear unjust people's conscious up!

  5 years ago
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  Sir The best way to deal with situations like these is to just kill em with kindmness and competence, like you are doing already. By going off and getting all "ethnic" as I like to call it, does not do anything but put you down on their level (like someone else commented earlier). I'm going to end this with some old school (quite literally) wisdom. "Don't let anyone rent for free in your head!" - Alfrances L. Sharpe

  5 years ago
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  Ms. Cass K
  

  Okay - why you didn't call ME!  What school is this?  What's her name?  Messin wit MY child!

  Well, I guess you handled it the MORE professional way.  I'll leave it alone - THIS TIME.

  5 years ago
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    LaSondra Kidd Yeah ma, that gemini in you would've come out. Oooo I already know you and her would NOT get along. LOL. She's probably a gemini too. Haha.

    5 years ago
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  LaRue F. Kidd
  

  You did good.  Sometimes we want to go where people want to take us - THERE.  But most of the time THERE is beneath us.  Because you did not stoop to her level of  ignorance, she was forced to rise to where you are.   Haters will never experience the joy of celebrators because they are always trying to figure out how they can be more, do more, or have more than others; while at the same time loosing the gifts they have within.  Don’t let anyone beneath you take you THERE or pull you down to their level, pull them up to yours.

  THERE = No where

  
  

  5 years ago
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  GP
  

  I feel ya.  I go through the samethings sometimes even more because of my locks.  Just keep smiling and do u.  Don't let nobody steal ur shine.  Just keep doing u and stay focus, u know this is only temporary.  Ur on to bigger and better things in life.  She just mad that she old and u half her age.  Work the job, don't let the job work u

  peace

  5 years ago
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    LaSondra Kidd Bigger and better. You already know!

    5 years ago