Ethics of Gender and Race (of People)
When I was growing up in Asia and even after my immigration to America, one of the greatest barriers (and always will) to be who I want to be and do what I want to do was that of gender inequality. I hardly appear to be a steadfast feminist, but the resistance I faced as a female forced me to endeavour more greatly in my aspirations to succeed and surpass the expectations of those around me.
In coming through this difficulty, I realized the weight of this disparity more fully than if I had been male. It was thus instilled in me to not recognize gender when assessing a person in their characteristics. It seems to me that to discriminate against males is as unfair as discriminating against females; either bias advantages one over the other. This ethical standard relates to the basic idea of universality (The Golden Rule):
Treat all people in a manner consistent with how I would like to be treated
Another social issue that continually dogs modern American society, but exists in Asian society in a different form, is that of race. Racial tension has reverberated though the history of the United States, forming the present acceptable idea of nondiscriminatory practice. In Asia, the majority of people are usually native to the country; the main difference in people is marked by their geographical location and socioeconomic status. Skin color in both countries is a usual distinction that people can visually and instantly use to determine the appropriate label or stereotype that is generally applied. I lived in an Asian society where people of lower classes are demeaned and distained for their occupation and color.
I came to America, a first world country to find, even as a child, such a situation does not change as any function of standard of living or advancement in industrialization. Here, people actually have more hierarchies as people become as dispensable as the commodities they produce. I have found that as an Asian, I am not as largely discriminated against as those who are darker in complexion or have a heavier accent. Nonetheless, I am frequently stereotyped and judged as a result of my appearance and others’ presumptuousness, rather than who I am as a person. Just as with the gender discrimination I have experienced, I fought harder to defy this underestimation; I came to see through race and other boundaries created by people to separate us from one other. I do this because that is what I wish for everyone, including myself.
What type of biases do you encounter as an Asian? I had an Asian student once complain that everyone thought he was either a brain or nerd.
I received my Masters in a male dominated field and often was the only female in the class. Most guys were very nice but there was often one or two in every class who was a knucklehead. One of the most memorable examples was in a class where we were discussing why 8-12 year old girls wanted to wear make-up and dress certain ways. I gave my opinion which differed from his. He proceeded to attempt slam me by giving a long discourse and that knew more than I did because he had been a children’s minister for several year. Then he challenged me to justify my answer. My answer 20+ years as a woman. It was amusing to watch his face after the other members of class begin to realize I might have some valid points.
As an asian, I come across the same biases (nerd/geek or submissive/crazy woman)!
I love totally destroying chauvinistic guys’ arguments. In a calm, even voice of logic that makes them seem stupid haha
It’s like an implied “duh “
so true