Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions
One example of microaggression that I have observed this week, was when I was in line at the pharmacy and an individual made a comment about a non English speaking woman who was having trouble understanding her medication because there was no translator working at the time. The individual stated;
" Why can't these people learn English when they come to this country".
The context of this microaggression was a form of racism portraying micro insults. I believe that the psychological dilemma was a clash of racial realities.
Growing up when I was a child I had experienced forms of prejudice and racism towards myself as well.
" You are pretty for a black girl".
"What projects did you grow up in?"
"I never see your father, is he in jail?"
" Nicole is black, she can tell you how to fry chicken."
These brief everyday verbal indignities were insulting messages that seemed to be sometimes intentional and unintentional.
The racism microaggression hidden messages that I interpreted was;
just because my race is black i should know that
" All Black girls are not pretty".
" All Black people come from low income housing projects."
" All Black men go to jail".
"All Black women should know how to fry chicken".
I am now educated enough to know that I was a victim of micro invalidation's and micro insults. I have learned that these statements form from a lack of understanding and education.
It makes me upset to know that these behaviors happen outside the level of awareness of well-intentioned individuals.
It makes me feel very disturbed when I observe any negativity or hatred towards people of any culture, race, gender or ability and it makes me even more displeased to realize that responding to these microaggressions will cause no positive change if individuals are not culturally educated.
My experience with microaggression behaviors have affected my perception of prejudice and stereotypes, because I have learned that if people do not understand something they will tend to assume, make a presumption or believe information with out facts or prof.
The wisdom that I have gained is do not assume things, ask meaningful questions and be kind and respectful.
I have learned that as a preschool educator we all need to have an open mind about the many different children and families in and around our community and be willing to accept their reality, and appreciate their differences.
Thanks for sharing your experience within regards to microaggression. I personally feel that it is sad towards the ways we are being judge everyday. I feel as humans that we should all stick together as one. I also personally feel that we should work together as a team to help build another person up instead of talking down on another person.
ReplyDeleteI agree Courtney. I hope as early childhood educators we all come together to strive to help our young children appreciates all people of all cultures. I think it starts at a young age and it is our responsibility as teachers to instill positive aspects for all our young children and show them how important it is to embrace all cultures and backgrounds. We as professional educators can help make a difference one child at a time. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! I think that sometimes people are unaware of what they are saying and how it will make someone feel. I think the best thing that we can do is to teach children in our care to treat everyone with respect and share with them how to be nice and courteous in every way. In my one year old class, I always try to teach the children to share and to care about each other even at a young age. I do not want them to not feel loved and respected.
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