Our Perceptions

 Using the definitions in my first blog let's determine how our personal viewpoint can affect our perception of others. 

So then, can we be prejudiced without being racist? For the sake of simplicity, let's say:      Girl A is green.  Girl B is blue.  Both girls are eleven.

Green girl is from a large city, new to this different city school, aggressive with other students because she did not want to go to this school because she was out of her comfort zone. This green girl has been told all blue people hate them and that she should hate blue people.

Blue girl is from a small town and new to this city school. She is shy and this was the sixth time they have move during her life. Making friends was difficult for her. This blue girl was taught to treat all people with respect no matter what they look like.

Now it is lunch time in a large cafeteria where hundreds of kids are having lunch. Blue girl is sitting with another girl that she has formed a slight bond with. The green girl comes by with her tray and sees something on blue girl's tray that she wants. Green girl sits her tray in across the table from blue girl's tray. She demands that the blue girl give her the desired object. Blue girl tells her no. So the green girl that pulls out a knife out and threatens to stab the blue girl. Now, the blue girl is scared and allows green girl take the food because blue girl doesn’t want to cause trouble or get hurt. Blue girl has never had anyone treat her this way before in her life. She is afraid now and this girl continues to pick on her daily. The green girl continues to pick on blue girl because she discovered she was afraid. 

Is it safe then to say that blue girl might become prejudiced against green people?

I think it is likely. It is her first experience like that. It changes her perspective of what any person might be like blue OR green. She realizes that she is no longer safe in this world. Does that mean that she cannot change that thought with the next green person she meets? 

Maybe and maybe not. She might be okay with the next green person she meets or she might be fearful.

Therefore, with every new green person our blue girl meets, she is afraid because she has now associated fear with green people. 

Does this mean she is prejudiced? Yes, she does not know any other green people yet.

How can she possible know in the moment if they will also threaten to stab her or not?

SHE CANNOT. 

THIS IS PERCEPTION: she only has her understanding of the green girl's effect on her. At no time did this blue girl profess to hate green people or think she was better than they were. In fact, this blue girl might believe that green people are superior to her because she was afraid and was not strong enough to say no a second time. 

Does it mean she is a racist?  

No, that is not the definition of racism. For blue girl to be racist she would have to hate all green people because of that one green girl. 

Would the blue girl be cautious of new green people she met?

More than likely. After all, she would have to get to know them to determine whether they were just like that first green girl she met. 

Is it possible that over time  her perception of green people might change?

Yes, over time blue girl would learn to individually base her thoughts about others by the way each individual treats her. Therefore, it all depends on how people treat each other.

What we need to start thinking about is: What perception we are leaving other people to form?

In the end does it matter what others think of us? 

After all will they be there to judge us? Or is that something we do to ourselves? If it is, should we be trying to be the best version of ourselves?