On the Topic of Prejudice

It’s 4 AM, so instead of struggling to get back to sleep, I am going to embrace it by writing. As you have probably noticed – I’ve been absent for two months; however, that’s a topic for another day…

This week, a German radio host said some disparaging words about BTS, a group I follow. Matthias Matuschik discussed the Korean band’s cover of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’, recently performed on MTV’s Unplugged. His ignorant tirade included a reference comparing them to the SARS virus, which sent off a multitude of comments not only from ARMY (BTS’s fans base), but a host of others jumping to their defense. People called him out for his racist comments at time when violence against Asians has been increasing around the world. 

He eventually offered an “apology” after managers at the station were overwhelmed with an influx of commentary from the public. Airtime equals money, and I’m certain their sponsors were none too happy with the negative exposure received. However, lame excuses offered no consolation to the masses, which sent off another round on Twitter, including a DM (direct message group) which I am involved. After a lengthy discussion among the seven of us, it got me to thinking about not just racism, but prejudice in general. 

As a female, I’ve received my share of comments from various men, so this morning, I will share a few of my “fondest” moments. 

I scheduled an appointment with a car dealership, after experiencing a reoccurring problem with my car. Upon arriving, a male employee, asked me to explain the nature of my concerns. After I divulged the problem in detail, said employee chimed, “Lady, they all do that!” Wrong answer my dear lad. I wasn’t about to give in, tuck tail and go home, and insisted that someone look at my vehicle. And just at that very moment, a close friend working there, happened to appear. “Oh hi Marion, is there a problem?” Why yes, there is, I said through clenched teeth, repeating my plight. “We’ll get you in right away”, he kindly offered, giving his employee a disparaging look. “So sorry for any difficulties you’ve encountered.” At that point, I smiled in satisfaction, watching the underling shrink with embarrassment, but why did I have to experience that in the first place?

I was playing bass guitar in a band in the Detroit area. We finished our set to rave applause, while a patron approached, as we dismantled our equipment. Instead of receiving the usual compliments, a barrage of insulting remarks fell upon my ears. “It might be helpful if you took some lessons”, he quipped, “you were playing in the wrong key…” I guess it made him feel like a big man, admonishing a mere female who dared to trample upon a male-dominated profession. “What was that all about?” my bandmates inquired. Of course, I was miffed, but my buddies rallied behind me. “Ignore him. He’s just a male chauvinist pig…”

I encountered the biggest effronteries while working side by side with my husband in his precision grinding company, another male-dominated profession. I knew it would be a rough ride and I’d probably receive some dissension, however, I’d grown a tough skin over the years. However, the phone call we received one morning still rings in my ears. 

“Hi, I’m calling to inquire about…” I then proceeded to chat with him about his order. “I really need to speak with Lee”, he insisted, as he continued to ignore me. “I’m the one running your job, so I doubt that Lee would have anything to offer…” Still he insisted on talking to my husband. Okay. So I begrudgingly brought him to the phone. “How can I help you?” he asked. “No, I’m sorry you’ll have to ask Marion about that. She’s the one who set up and is running the job. Let me put her back on the phone…” Of course, he listened intently as I answered all his questions in detail, but again, why did this occur in the first place?

Unfortunately, we are dealing with human beings who often act without thinking. Their responses don’t often coincide with logical thinking, but rather with preconceived notions. Unfortunately, these notions aren’t limited to race, but as I discovered, it affects relations between males and females, adults and children, rich and poor, and a number of other groups. It’s a sad reflection on Homo sapiens, but while I do see progress, I don’t expect any great changes overnight. However, I hope that through intelligent discussion via the vast reaches of the internet, that maybe, just maybe, we can begin a new journey, opening the eyes of a few more people around the world. Ignorance isn’t always bliss!