My awareness of microaggressions has forced me exercise greater alertness to the use of oral language because I am now aware that it is possible to classify some of these messages as microaggression which can be categorized as racial, sexual orientation and gender microaggressions according to Dr Sue (Laureate Education, 2011). During the week West Indies Cricket team played a match and the commentators were discussing Marlon Samuel’s bowling so John turned to Rebecca and said Samuel’s bowling is once again engaging the attention of the commentators. Rebecca replied, “Wasn’t Marlon accused of that before?” John said, “Rebecca, you know the game! Rebecca simply turned and looked at him. He simply smiled. Immediately upon witnessing it, I said to John you have just committed a microaggression. I told him that it’s a new term to me and I am paying attention to the spoken word to identify instances where these indignities are committed. John most likely was well-intentional but that microaggression sought to invalidate the lady because it is not very common in his opinion for a lady to be abreast of what is taking place in cricket which to him may be still considered a man’s game. My observation this week made me recognize that discrimination, prejudice and /or stereotypes on people occur on a daily basis and in different degrees. Microaggressions inflict the greatest pain on the person who is on the receiving end. Some may be a bit slight but some may be very blatant so there is need to exercise sensitivity. According to Dr. Sue “It saps the spiritual and psychological energies of the person receiving the microaggression because it is cumulative in nature.” Microaggressions have further raised my level of awareness to additional injustices that are committed on a daily basis and some of them may provide teachable moments which we may be able to capitalize on because these offensive remarks can be extremely damaging. In order to live harmoniously with each other in our multicultural society, we must identify acts of microaggression where possible so we can avoid using them since they are repressive to the person/s receiving them.
Reference
Laureate Education (2011). Microaggressions in Everyday Life [Video Program]. Retrieved fromhttp://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5691618&Survey=1&47=8207343&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Evlyn,
ReplyDeleteI am surprized that he would do that. Who say we women don't know about cricket? Maybe he was just joking around....lol.
Anyway, you did the right thing of making them become aware of the term microaggression. To tell you the truth, I only learn of this word in the course even though we have been practising microaggression all the time. Ignorance is bliss! That's what they say, so we cannot blame others for their innocence but educate so those mistakes we make, those assumptions we make intentionally or unintentionally, would be turned into positive messages.
Evlyn,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that if we continue to actively look for microagressions that are occurring around us it will help us to not use them, and we can even help others we are aware of around us by identifying them to them and opening their eyes to these harmful interactions.
Hello Evlyn,
ReplyDeleteThis week assignments is the first time I heard the word microagressions. Microgressions plays a big part in our daily lives. We are all are guilty are using microagressions intentionally or unintentionally. I am going to take into considerations people feelings before I start talking to them.
Evlyn,
ReplyDeleteShame on John, how sad. He needs know that if it is a Cricket playing country every one knows the game regardless of the gender. But good for you Evlyn you pointed out his microaggressive behavior. Even though this is a new term for all of us, we are ready to put it to practice now.
Thank you for sharing.