The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression

You may have read about my most recent experience with prejudice, bias and oppression on one of the recent discussion boards. This summer, I attended a [voluntary] family picnic for the center at which I am employed. It was 99 degrees F, so I drove back to the center to pick up our kidwash sprinkler so that the children could cool off. While I was assembling the kidwash, my supervisor's supervisor spied my tattooed arms. Unbeknownst to me at the time, she'd had a visceral reaction to my tattoos. Several days later, at the end of the day, I was called to my supervisor's supervisor's office. This was never a good thing, since she is not the type of person to commend people, however, I did not know what the problem could possibly be. Once in her office, she began to tell me that she felt that I must be not want to be in the field of early childhood because I had tattoos. She also characterized me as depressed and self-destructive. She never asked to look more closely at my tattoos or inquired as to why I had decided to get them. I could not believe that this was happening at the time. There was and still is no policy regarding tattoos or piercings at my workplace. Honestly, if I'd had a recording device or a witness, I would have filed a complaint with the Human Resources Department. Since my supervisor's supervisor is one of the owners of the company, it's not likely that I would have gotten anywhere.
     This incident caused me to feel unfairly judged and marginalized. I felt that all of my hard work throughout the four years that I have been employed at the center was completely nullified simply because I have tattoos. I felt that I was instantly demoted as a life form in her eyes because I have ink decorating my skin. Initially, I felt surprised and dumbfounded. I did not know what to say. Now, about 6 months later, I have completely lost any feelings of basic respect for this woman. I feel that she behaved as a bully. I am still very angry about the incident. Any encounters that I must have with her are mechanical, impersonal and robotically polite on my end. She is overly friendly, but has never apologized and probably never will. I believe that this woman's attitude (and that of conservative society) will have to change in order to refrain from judging people based upon their looks. While tattoos were once only found only on prisoners and in freak shows, they are now commonplace and part of a prevalent culture. I think, that, for my part, I should confront this woman in order to facilitate a learning experience for her and a better understanding of the source of her prejudice for me.