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This paper is to discuss diversity and how this can create a culture of bias which can lead to groups or individuals being treated in a different manner than others just because of gender, health, and religious beliefs. Merriam-Webster (n.d.) defines diverse as "differing from one another: unlike; composed of distinct or unlike elements or qualities. When you truly stop and look at all people you will see, that everyone is diverse is some way. No one is alike but because of similarities, people are placed into certain groups or categories.
With diversity comes classes of people, two of these classes are privileged and underprivileged. Those in the privileged class find themselves with more power, more money, more opportunities, etc. Those in the underprivileged class find themselves living in poverty, not having enough, not have opportunities, etc. Therefore, we will discuss some groups who faced biases during biblical times, as well as how these same groups still face those issues today.
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Unfortunately, we will find that many of the groups that faced oppression during biblical times are still facing it in one form or another today.
Biblical Examples Where Structures Oppressed, Marginalized, Alienated, or Created or Enhanced Privilege or Power Women.
Women were not treated as equal in biblical times. We first see the marginalization of women in Genesis. When Noah has built the ark, we have been given the names of his sons, but his wife and his sons' wives names are never given. The women were not important enough to have their names listed.
We see this in Genesis 8:18 (English Standard Version) "So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him." This verse just refers to them as wives. Later in Genesis 9:18 (English Standard Version) we are given the names of Noah's sons as Shem, Ham, and Japheth. At no time do they ever give the wives names. One might wonder why the women were not important enough to have their names known. This is just one example of how women were treated differently than men. Another example of the marginalization of women comes in the New Testament and is committed by Paul in 1 Timothy 2:8-9 (English Standard Version). Paul tells the men to pray and the women to dress tastefully. One might wonder why the women were not expected to pray and to only make sure their dress was acceptable. Women have been treated as property and not as important as the men since biblical times.
During biblical times, those who were sick or as they would say "unclean," have always be treated as outcasts and many have literally been cast of out their cities to live on the outskirts alone and away from those who were healthy. Many people also believed that if you were ill that you had sinned. When Jesus approached the blind man in John, the disciples want to know what he or his parents had done for him to be blind. Jesus said, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:3, New International Standard Version). Lepers were not allowed to live on the outskirts of the communities and "cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!'" (Leviticus 13:45, New International Version). These are just a few of the examples we see in the Old Testament and the New Testament of how those who were ill were treated.
There are also those in biblical times who were excluded due to their religion or lack thereof. Some believe that it is improper to one to spend time or just be around those who are considered sinners or unclean. We see this in Matthew 9:11 (New International Version) "When the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" The Pharisees believe that Jesus is wrong for having dinner with the likes of these people. Jesus is quick to let them know that they are the reason He is here. This is just one example of religious exclusion. Another is the process of being corrupt in how they handle customs. In Matthew 23:23 (New International Version) the "Pharisees are chastised for giving of their spices but not of the important laws such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness." Because of this, they may find themselves being left out of other traditions. Many people are excluded from religious activities because they may not follow the laws specifically or may do something that is believed to be sinful.
Contemporary Examples That Show How Present-Day Structures and Values Oppress, Marginalize, Alienate, or Create or Enhance Privilege or Power Women.
Let's talk about the oppression of women in this day and age. Unfortunately, for the most part, women are still not treated as equal and are still treated as property. For example, "in Bangladesh the oppression of women is a widespread social problem across the country because they are dominated and subjugated by men" (Rahman, 2018, July 1, p. 104). They are still treated as property where they are bought and sold with a dowry, which is defined by Merriam Webster (n.d.) as " the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage." Women are seen as no more than chattel to do as they are told by their husbands. This can cause women in Bangladesh to face many types of oppression. They may be beaten or raped. They may be treated as if they are worthless and so begin to feel like they are. Because their families pay the husband before marriage, she is treated like nothing more than a business arrangement.
The oppression of those who are ill in modern day times is reflected in the treatment of those who have what is described as a mental illness. Mental illness includes but is not limited to depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, addictive behaviors. These types of illnesses come with a stigma, which Merriam Webster (n.d.) defines as a mark of shame or discredit. Since people feel shame for having one of these issues, they are less likely to seek treatment because they do not want others to think less of them or think they are crazy. A study regarding stigma and the issue with seeking help determined that "the notion that stigma related to mental
illness or mental health services is directly associated with less active help-seeking for mental problems in the general population" (Schnyder, Panczak, Groth, & Schultze-Lutter, 2017, p. 261). Therefore, this study confirms that people are less likely to find treatment for mental illness. This is a problem because this causes people to feel like outcasts and as if they do not belong and must be avoided.
You can look at religious exclusion from different perspectives, religions not allowing certain people to participate, two religions who are at odds with each other, religions causing social exclusion or the perceived exclusion, etc. We are going to talk about the perceived social exclusion of certain groups by faith communities. There was a study by Mashua & Mangoedi (2015) titled "Faith communities, social exclusion, homelessness and disability in the City of Tshwane." The study determined that the homeless populations with disabilities felt that they were excluded social by the faith communities. Even though they felt this way, "they are still hopeful that the church can still turn the tide and attend to their issues in transforming ways - serving as agents of transformation" (Mashua & Mangoedi, 2015, p. 8). What a great testimony that even though they feel marginalized by those in the church, they still have hope that the church will step up and see to their needs. The faith community needs to be better about going out into the margins of their communities and make sure that those who are in need feel included and loved.
How Can I Learn From Those Who Are Different From Me?
I feel like I can learn so much from someone who is different than men. We are called to go and help those in need throughout the world. We are not supposed to stay in one place and just help those that are like us or where we feel comfortable. We are to step out and cross the boundaries of different cultures and walks of life. By working with others who are different than me, I can learn about different customs, foods, religions, etc. I can learn how to help others in a way that will lift them up so that they are still respected and can work within their cultural boundaries. Just because things work one way for some cultures does not mean they will for others. I can definitely learn more about myself and how to look past biases that I might have about people and learn how to immerse myself in their culture. Only then will I be able to make a difference in the lives of those in need.
Self-Reflection of My Own Biases and Values When Working With Diverse Groups
I would love to believe that I have no biases and that I love all people regardless of race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, political affiliation, etc. Saying or believing I am not biased in any way would be dishonest and would not allow me to learn and grow as a human being. I feel like I can get along with and work with any person, but I would have to really search my soul and make sure to work through my biases in order to make a difference. Everyone has some type of biases towards different groups and individuals. As I reflect on my own biases and values, I would have to say that two specific biases that I have are my political bias towards liberals and my religious bias towards the illegal immigrants.
Let's focus on my political bias toward liberals. I am a strong Republican with very conservative values. I have issues with a liberal point of view. There are so many things that they stand for that seem to go against all of my beliefs and values. Generally speaking, I will probably vote for the Republican who is running for office because they share my same values and beliefs. I voted for Donald Trump because I felt he was a better candidate than Hillary Clinton because of things she did while she was a senator for New York, such as her attitude towards the military. Therefore, my bias stems from how I am treated because I am a Republican. I am labeled as racist, homophobic, misogynistic, xenophobic, etc. I feel like they are not willing to get to know who we are as individuals and just stereotype all of us. I know not all Democrats have these same thoughts and feelings, but because of the majority, I have an issue with their political agenda.
Now let's focus on my bias toward illegal immigrants. I know people who have gone through the processes that are required to become citizens of our country. I am aware of people who have not done the necessary steps to enter our country legally. I feel like the people who sneak in are making it harder for those who take the right steps to be allowed to come to our country and make a new life. I do not think that those who come in illegally should be given the same rights and privileges that are afforded to American citizens. I believe that we need some type of immigration reform so that those wanting to come legally are given the process to do so without fearing they will be rejected because of the bias to illegal immigrants. I do not feel that they belong here if they are not willing to take the necessary steps to do so with regard to the laws.
In conclusion, biases have existed since biblical times and unfortunately, there will always be some type of bias in this world. We just need to learn how to look past the differences and see that everyone has been created by God and to remember that He has called us to "love one another" (John 13:34, New International Version). Even though we have biases and apprehension about certain people or groups, we must not be so set against getting to know them that we exclude them or harass them because we do not agree with them. As social workers, we will be tasked to work with all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. Therefore, we must learn how to look deep within ourselves to understand that we are not here to judge, we were here to help and lift others up.
The oppression of women since biblical times. (2019, Dec 08). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-oppression-of-women-since-biblical-times-essay
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