How Going on Food Stamps Forced Me to Face My Biases
I quickly came to terms with my prejudice toward those who need government assistance
She had finally convinced me.
“Elad, why on earth wouldn’t we?” my wife asked. “We need it. Our family. Me. Your daughters. You.”
But there was some sort of mental block, something that was stopping me. It was ridiculous, of course. There had been moments when we needed help from my parents — and we had asked. Why wasn’t I ashamed then? What was it about food stamps (or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka SNAP) that made me feel like such a loser, like such a pathetic failure?
It had started a month or two earlier. I had gone into work, expecting it to be a day like any other. It was early in my career, but I was already succeeding as a marketer, and I was loving this position.
As soon as I came in, something felt off. The CEO looked at me worriedly, and I wondered what could be up. But at first, he said nothing to me, just let me go into my room and work.
Finally, he walked into the room where I was working. He asked me if we could have a chat. He gave me that same look.
