Implicit Bias has been our survival
Wendy Stokesbary,
Cedar Rapids, IA.
I got feedback today from TWO people who saw my original post here from a couple years ago. I figured that meant I’m supposed to come back… I don’t know what it means yet.
Understand NOW Didn’t then I’m sorry
Gingie Hunstad
Cedar Rapids, IA
So enjoyed hearing you speak at Coe College….and have heard you often on NPR
Previouslly attractive, now obese. who changed?
Barry Allen,
Cedar Rapids, IA.
What I mean here is that when I was thin, (smoking cigarettes) doors were opened much more regularly & loneliness was not a problem. Now fat, (not smoking) the loneliness is at times unbearable. Am I not the same person? Obesity creates discrimination similar to that of racial or gender discrimination. By the way I exercise & eat healthy food, but have weighed the same for 8 months. Only halfway to desired weight, but still obese. Plateaus & rejections make it hard to stay with healthy habits.
African american boys like my booty
Wendy Stokesbary
Cedar Rapids, IA
I went to middle school with lots of African american students and noticed the boys seemed to admire my curvy figure- I was flattered, not frightened, because no one ever tried to hurt me. I grew up with a curiosity and respect for diversity, and partly because of my professional training (mental health) I understood individual differences are more accurate than stereotypes. My town now has many inner city Chicago transplants who model a culture of baggy pants, drug use, violence, shootings. They saunter in the middle of the street taunting you driving by and this seems to perpetuate the stereotypes and hatred. My social scientist perspective tells me that their culture is just as familiar and comfortable to them as is mine, but I have to wonder how the aggression and hostility serves them in the end? We have many positive and pro-social role models of all races that I wish could make more impact on the disenfranchised racial minority youth.
