Saturday, November 24, 2012

Awareness of Microaggressions


Microaggressions occur when verbal behaviors create feelings of uncertainty, inferiority or marginalization even if there was no offense consciously intended (Laureate Education, Inc., n.d.).

One microaggression detected this week was at my work we have 4 centers and 8 classrooms and there are only 2 African American teachers. During a conversation among my co-workers about why one center is getting something that we had asked for but were not getting one of the teachers said, “It is because Ms. A works there and well you know she is black”. I was taken aback by this statement; I could not believe that she thought this was the reason. She continued to say they, Ms. A and Ms. B always get what they want because if they don’t they will say that the agency is discriminating against them. Wow….this had never even crossed my mind and to hear it coming from a co-worker really bothered me. This was a definite act of discrimination and prejudice against these ladies.

Before this class I have not ever heard of microaggressions but I realized that I have dealt with them all my life. Since I married my husband at the age of 17 after our son was born I have been told and talked about. People will say they will never stay together they are too young well we have been together since we were 15 and will be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary in July. I feel sad that people never even gave us a chance they stereotyped us because we were young and had a baby by saying it would never last.

This assignment has cautioned me to be aware of things that others say as well as to be very careful before I speak and do the same to another.

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (n.d.). Microaggressions in everyday Life. [Video
              Webcast]. In Perspective, Diversity, and Equality Retrieved from  https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fweb
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2 comments:

  1. It is really surprising what people will say when they feel comfortable around you. Most of the time you hear that in reverse. As the years go by and media says that the majority will no long be the majority you hear those kinds of statements more and more. Hidden racism comes out in ways that people don't even think about. Do you think they thought they were being mean or racist or felt like they were just making a statement?


    Congratulations on the anniversary!

    References:
    Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (n.d.). Microaggressions in everyday Life. [Video
    Webcast]. In Perspective, Diversity, and Equality Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fweb
    apps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1958978_1%26url
    %3

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  2. Hi Catherine, I think it is great that you and your husband have been married for 22 years - congrats! Like you, I had not heard the term 'microagressions' before but I was certainly familiar with the concept! I think this assignment makes it clear to me that we need to do training and workshops with all early childcare workers to make others aware of what they are saying and how it affects those around them. Delores

    ReplyDelete