Microaggressions
Microaggressions:
-"Brief everyday indignities"
-"May be verbal, behavioral, or environmental"
-"Are communicated intentionally or unintentionally"
-"Contains an insulting message"
-"Often causes severe psychological stress and harm"
-Dr. Sue
Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Microaggressions I have observed this week
"I'm sorry, but, I knew there was going to be trouble when I saw him walk into the store and when he started speaking it just proved my point." (This took place at a superstore and the Black female employee who said this quote was speaking about a White guy with a torn-up shirt who was talking very loudly)
"Damn Mexicans can't do anything right. Always goofing around on the job." (This was said by a White supervisor about construction workers who were people of color)
"He/she whoever they are. I can never keep up with all these changing gender things that are occurring these days. " (This was said by an older Black female who was talking about a colleague at her daughter's school)
Microaggressions I have personally been a victim of or witness of in the past
"Where are you from?" I reply from Philly PA. They respond with, "No, like where are you originally from?" (This has been asked numerous times to me from all different races, ethnicities, and genders)
"Ugh, I did so bad on that last exam." Said one of my Asian American friends. A White peer and our class giggles and says, "What did you get an A- the Asian F."
"Oh no." said my White male significant other. "What wrong?" I reply. "There's an old Asian lady in the car in front of us."
My Thoughts and Feelings on Microaggressions
What I have learned
Long term these microaggressions can leave permanent scars on the marginalized parties being affected by them. (Dr. Sue 2011). Although sometimes the people saying these microaggressions don't realize the harm they are causing with their statements and questions it is important that we all educate ourselves on recognizing what microaggressions are and how much of a big effect they have on people. While viewing these examples of microaggressions I felt feelings of guilt, empathy towards the minorities being affected with these microaggressions, and frustration both at myself and the people saying these microaggressions.
The frustration and guilt come from me both having biased opinions and thoughts during first impressions of people and not being able to speak up for the person who is being attacked with the microaggression.
Now that I have learned more about the impacts and effects of microaggressions and how damaging biases and stereotypes are in society. I have become more aware and in tune with my own biases and perceptions, I have grown to learn over the course of my life based on family, peers, and social influences. I now question myself and truly think before speaking of if my words and feelings are true to those that I have based on a conversation with this person I am encountering or those which are formed by biased thoughts and perceptions that I have seen and heard by others.
Hi Kristen, now that we know about microaggressions isn't it eye-opening to catch people when they make remarks like the ones you umentioned. And as you wrote they can come from anyone.I used to think it was just stereotyping but I now know the official word for these indignities. This lesson on microaggressions has not only made aware of how often they happen but has made me be conscious of what I say and how act towards others. Cynthia
ReplyDeleteHello Kirsten,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing how you feel in regards to hearing microaggressions or being a target of them. I can also relate to feelings of guilt because until I became an educator, I would often make comments and not think how it would affect the person or people it was intended for, or if others hearing would feel negatively. Taking this class on cultural diversity has uncovered hidden biases or stereotypes I hold towards people of other races, genders, old age, and abilities (IAT Corp., 2011). Now that I am more aware that I have these unconscious biases, I need to be more intentional in the words I choose and how I teach young children so they do not have biases or microaggressions towards anyone.
-Juanita
Reference
IAT Corp. (2011). Project implicit. https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/
Kirsten,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny that when people ask us where we are from, simply stating "Philly" is not enough? I have the same question asked of me. I actually have a close friend that now continues to give me grief because he says my accent is too Delaware County and he doesn't understand where it came from, since we all grew up in Chester County. I guess it comes down to the fact that we know that we are from Philadelphia, even if it is anywhere within a mile radius of Philly, we always state that we are from Philadelphia. It's nice to know that there is someone else in this class that understands the Philly mentality!