Assumptions and Discrimination

 I follow an Australian Aboriginal psychologist on Facebook. Tracy has a Masters and PhD in Clinical Psychology. She recently posted about how, as a woman of colour, her success is measured against that of a white woman. It is assumed there must be an explanation; a lower standard for passing, a helping hand given, a gravy train. Her own merit and hard work is dismissed.

She has built a successful business with no support, runs a charity, and self funds support for critical mental health needs in vulnerable communities. All of this with no government funding. She describes the narrative following every Aboriginal person as them being the product of lowered standards. Success rides on a victim mentality. Their voice is not earned, it is illegitimate. She is becoming a loud voice in response to this insidious racism.

I responded to her quietly and respectfully saying that the same conversation occurs around disability. when I was studying at university I was often asked what kind of accommodations I had been given. Worst of all is people failing to acknowledge a person with a disability could genuinely earn a MPhil with Distinction and a mark of 98%. I was viewed by some people as a fraud, and even by those I worked with as somehow having a lesser valuable education. At one stage when working in a prestigious private school I had the highest level of education of any staff member, including the Principal.

The responses to my post have been very interesting. A man says he has noticed it at all professional and academic levels. He suggested attributing racism and discrimination to ignorance seems wrong as so many of the negative comments come from articulate, intelligent and educated people. He believes it threatens their privilege and sense of entitlement. 

In response to such a caring post I expanded on my belief that much of the discrimination experienced today is the result of bullying. It is rife in the snide and critical commentary of those who excel in their chosen life and cannot see beyond their own success. This is causing huge psychological hurt for people of all races, colours, disabilities, genders. Its subtle tones means it takes time to recognise it as bullying.

I was told I was spot on. The number of likes on my posts make me think perhaps there is some truth to this. I am often the victim of bullying, mostly by neighbours, sometimes by family or strangers I meet in cafes. I know what it feels like but can miss the clues to words forced in my direction in the hope I will crawl away and never show myself again. 

What do you think? Is discrimination and the assumptions made by those who think they know better bullying or something else more sinister.