Weekly Theme: Prejudice

“Have you ever been a victim of prejudice?”

Yes, almost daily. I get treated differently for a number of reasons.

First? I’m FAT. Like almost 300 pounds, this makes skinny people who “look like models” cringe and not want to get to know me because I’m not as “pretty” as them. Who cares that THEIR HUSBAND is fatter than I am?! Just because they’ve given birth FOUR TIMES (and I only three) and they run all the time, and don’t work EVER, doesn’t mean a damn thing…

Next? My age. I don’t get why, but it’s either people my age SUCK, or something. I drive in a bus lot with women in their mid to late forties. They seem to hate me, But I can’t figure out why.

They park their cars 15 feet away from mine on average, and have their buses in a different location than mine. They’d give me my own lot if they could. And when they have to bring my paperwork to the other driver who brings it to the office “Its a huge hassle. Your paperwork may not make it there until this afternoon” But when it’s one of the other drivers? “OK! I’ll make sure I find them first thing this morning”

I’ve noticed men my age don’t care, they’ll talk to me, hang out, and when they find out who I’m with, they’re like “We grew up with him!”

Sometimes I feel discriminated against because of my gender, or my “religion” I’m Wiccan. I was kicked out school because I practiced it.

Ok, so maybe the weight part isn’t really as big of a deal as I feel it is sometimes. Reality is, anyone who gets to know me, knows I’m more than just some fat, lazy, good for nothing… like they make me feel when they look at me the way they do. Maybe they look at me differently because I’m a bus driver? Or because most of the time no matter what they say, I’ll stick up for what I believe.

One of the mother’s tried to bully me at a football game a few months ago. She said I had snack bar duty. But yet, I never received an email notifying me about it. I stuck to my position and no matter how much she tried to push, I refused to work the snack bar that they never told me I had to help with.

Did I sign my son up for football? Did I actually want to be there? Did anyone send me ANY EMAILS Ever? Nope, to all three. But that mother was pissed because no matter how much she said “Well, everyone got the email, and you can ask any of them” and I was like “I Got no such e-mail. Show it to me.” She never did. That email, NEVER EXISTED! far as I know. but it wasn’t the fact of working the snack bar, that wasn’t a big deal. If she were to say “All the parents of the team take turns at the snack bar during home games. Would you please go help for half the game, if not today than next week?” I would have been all like “Yeah, I can do that. I have my dog today, So it’ll have to be next week” Or if she said something like “One of the parents backed out last minute, can you please help us with the snack bar” Also I probably would have said yes. But the fact is, she came over and was like “What are you doing? You’re supposed to be in the snack bar!” And I responded with “What are you talking about?” then she went off telling be about an email I never received and expected me to leave my toddler and dog with NO ONE TO WATCH THEM while I spent two quarters of a game I didn’t want to be at, serving food to people who are mean to me almost every time I see them.

I feel like it’s because I’m fat that they act like I’m “Less than them” whatever! maybe If I had a man who could pay all the bills, keep food on the table, NEW CLOTHES on our backs, and still have money for wasting, I wouldn’t work either. I could spend all my time in my home gym while the kids are at school or day care, and work on my body. Then I could go out once a week and get my hair done. But wait, I’m a working mother, and If I don’t work, we don’t end up with food on the table.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s because of my attitude of “Mess with me and get bit” when they’re straight up jerks to me.

I have no problem getting to know these other mothers, possibly making friendships. But it’s pretty hard when they tell you, you were responsible for something you didn’t know about. GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION!