Awareness of microaggressions
Microaggressions are a new terminology
to me. From my understanding of the course readings and listening to Dr Sue,
who appears to be the expert on everyday life microaggressions, I see that this
expression cuts across all social identities including race, ethnicity,
religion, nationality, socio‐economic class,
and other important social dimensions. Many people including myself use words
and expressions that represent aggressions without being aware of it and its
effect on the recipients’ of such microaggression.
I can recall many examples of my
relationship with people that I call names based on their ethnicity. To me it
is a joke, and before this time, I was not thinking that they took it
seriously, but now, I am of the opinion that they must have been struggling
with the name calling. I really feel they must be hurting emotionally.
This week, a parent had an issue
with the language her son uses at home and she came into school to complain and
asked to see the head teacher. She was obviously angry and not satisfied with
the behavior of her son and so was saying a lot of things. She finally looked
at the teacher and asked her to investigate among the staff because she has
been told that the form teacher is from a particular race that uses foul
language.
I really felt bad. The hidden message in what she
was saying was that the son might have picked the bad language from the teacher
whose ethnic background is not good.
I am excited about this course because for me it is
a great eye opener. I have learnt the effect that having biases, stereotypes
and prejudice may have on people and their behavior and how they respond to
particular groups of people. Biases cover the ability to be objective and view
issues from the right perspective. I have learnt that individuals don’t always
reflect the group characteristic or behavior that we think we know, so it is
better not to prejudge people. We should deal with individuals and not group.
We must exercise caution as we meet people and deal with situations; we never
know who we are hurting.
Mercy,
ReplyDeleteThis sure is a sad example. I am amazed at the ignorance that can arise when people are viewing others through a lens of bias and prejudice. It causes even well-meaning individuals to believe lies and inaccuracies. This believe system was likely set in motion early in life. It is so important as you said to consider every person as an individual and not lump groups of people under an assumption.
Mercy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I didn't quite understand when you said: "The hidden message in what she was saying was that the son might have picked the bad language from the teacher whose ethnic background is not good." Sometimes in America the Blacks and Afro-Americans or African natives are divided. But, since we have a President that has a background in Africa and America it seems that the two nationalities are changing. There are a lot of Blacks in America that have very bad language and foul language it makes it sad for those of us who don't have foul language, at least not in the public eye. Thank you for the post.
I like the fact you said, "We should deal with individuals and not group. We must exercise caution as we meet people and deal with situations; we never know who we are hurting." I agree, we can not be judgemental because of what was once said about one particiular person in a race. Not everyone is the same and share the same culture because they are color. Everyone is different and have different cultures, values, and morals.
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