Women are often perceived to be the innocent, the victims. Although many females could take offense to this, men do as well. With every victim there is a culprit. It seems ironic that it is usually males that are assumed to be the culprit, even before there is a victim. Most people would assume this phenomenon to be true for most older males ranging from teenagers to adults. That is false. Ever since young boys are able to talk and walk, they are blamed. Broken vase? Probably the younger brother. Snacks disappearing around the house? Again, the brother. Broken lawn equipment or wreckage outside? Those rascal boys down the street. Recently, I’ve noticed in my work place (Kumon, a well-known children’s english/math tutoring center), I have received a symptom of this judgement. I am not directly affected with the kind of blame from before, but rather a cursory preference that leaves me feeling unwanted. There are both boys and girls working at my Kumon center, all around my age, but on my certain workday, I am the only male worker. Many times, I’ve seen parents that guide their children to ask help from another worker, which in my case, is always female. This happens even if they’re busy or is helping another student, while I am closer, (attempting to be) sitting calmly and patiently to be asked for assistance. This doesn’t happen all the time, but I recognize a look that parents have, one where you can see their minds acting quickly to analyze that it would be safer to have their children with the nice girl rather than the potentially dangerous boy. I surely am not there to harm their children, I merely want a paycheck and quite enjoy seeing children successfully tackling academic barriers. I can relate to Staple's piece, Black Men and Public Space. Although, I am not African-American, I can compare myself to the "sketchy" male stereotype that he is included in. Like Staples though, I’ve learned to accept this fact and move on. My judgement of the parents do not change and in the end it’s about the child’s needs. Not mine.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
I am Dangerous - Black Men and Public Space
Women are often perceived to be the innocent, the victims. Although many females could take offense to this, men do as well. With every victim there is a culprit. It seems ironic that it is usually males that are assumed to be the culprit, even before there is a victim. Most people would assume this phenomenon to be true for most older males ranging from teenagers to adults. That is false. Ever since young boys are able to talk and walk, they are blamed. Broken vase? Probably the younger brother. Snacks disappearing around the house? Again, the brother. Broken lawn equipment or wreckage outside? Those rascal boys down the street. Recently, I’ve noticed in my work place (Kumon, a well-known children’s english/math tutoring center), I have received a symptom of this judgement. I am not directly affected with the kind of blame from before, but rather a cursory preference that leaves me feeling unwanted. There are both boys and girls working at my Kumon center, all around my age, but on my certain workday, I am the only male worker. Many times, I’ve seen parents that guide their children to ask help from another worker, which in my case, is always female. This happens even if they’re busy or is helping another student, while I am closer, (attempting to be) sitting calmly and patiently to be asked for assistance. This doesn’t happen all the time, but I recognize a look that parents have, one where you can see their minds acting quickly to analyze that it would be safer to have their children with the nice girl rather than the potentially dangerous boy. I surely am not there to harm their children, I merely want a paycheck and quite enjoy seeing children successfully tackling academic barriers. I can relate to Staple's piece, Black Men and Public Space. Although, I am not African-American, I can compare myself to the "sketchy" male stereotype that he is included in. Like Staples though, I’ve learned to accept this fact and move on. My judgement of the parents do not change and in the end it’s about the child’s needs. Not mine.
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At the moment i can't think of anything uplifting to say. But it sucks to suck. At least you still get your paycheck regardless of the parents feelings toward you!
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