E-Learning assignment (Interpersonal) Interview with parent

Interpersonal: a. Conduct an interview with a friend (not from HCI) or family member. Find out from their point of view on prejudice and discrimination. Either record the interview or write out the interview transcript.


Me: What’s your point of view on prejudice and discrimination in the US?

Parent: Before and after the Civil, the blacks are still treated as unequally even though that the President of the North America wanted to end slavery. I feel that it prejudice could not be changed or altered overnight, for example, a treaty was signed by the US government that all Americans are equal. However, what happened was the blacks who were treated unfairly said some people are “more equal” than other people, thus the abolishment of prejudice and discrimination requires lots of time and effort.


Me: How was/can prejudice be abolished in the US?

Parent: Probably it was due to the fact that a new generation was coming in so the prejudice and thinking was not as strong as the older generation. It is also because of the the government was trying harder to destroy racism and it was much easier to teach the young generation to avoid racism while it is much harder to change the strong-willed adults’ point of view.


Me: Are there any other forms of prejudice on the Singapore society?
Parent: Of course, for example, the sons are better treated that daughters, due to the thinking that only me males are able to bring home the bacon while the females are being married to another family someday. Thus sons are preferred to daughters, if a family has a son and a daughter, the son will be treated better than the daughter, such as having the best food and clothing while the daughter has to assist the housewife in doing housework after school.
Parent: Another form of prejudice in Singapore is the status/education of a person. Many people think that students from top schools always succeed in life while the students from normal schools can never achieve anything when they grow up, thus parents are desperate to send their children to top schools. In this way, “kiasuism” is also created. In the process, parents of the bright children often despise and look down on those whose children that do not do well in school. The same prejudice applies to job interview, people from better schools gain the upper hand, although employment should focus on one’s merits, there are sometimes employers who are bias on those from neighbourhood schools.


Me: How does prejudice affect our family?

Parent: I do not think we are treated unfairly because our family has good education and I myself do not adhere to the “sons-are-better-than-daughters” principle, I will treat my children equally without discrimination.