Awareness of Microaggression

Awareness of Microaggression


Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

Almost 2 years ago I was working with my assistant teacher at school. The majority of this school were white women, me being one of two black women. Her and I had grown to be pretty close. We cracked jokes back and forth, had fun at work often. One day she was calling her husband on the classroom phone during nap time and I told her to tell him I said hi. She repeated to me what he said which was, "what's up nigga". I was completely stunned but did not want it to be awkward between us. I was so confused in my feelings. I wanted to retaliate, I want to be so angry and go off on the both of them. It really bothered me. I went home and told my boyfriend and he was not too thrilled about it and another co-worker did not like it either. I ended up expressing my feelings to the assistant director and she said that I should definitely say something if not, she would handle it. I ended up talking to my assistant teacher about it and she expressed her sincerest apologies explaining that he did not mean it in a negative way. This microaggression was in the form of a microinsult. I say both because being that he is a white man and me, a black woman he knows my history and his and that word packs such negative power coming from a white person, especially one that I don't know that well. I lost a little respect for him that day.

In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people

Well, today another black man was shot in the street that was unarmed and intended to cause no harm (at least to my knowledge). Observing the world around me the dominant culture has no real clue as to the things they do that cause harm to inferior culture. Just the other day a white man here in Memphis tried to rob a lady and the police did NOT shoot him. Everyday my culture, my people experience all of these microaggressions in one way, shape or form. That is what I have observed this week.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture 

Every answer that was stated in my interviews were basically the same. Of course the basics were covered such as religions, races and backgrounds. 

I interviewed three friends and their response to the questions were all rather similar 

Response 1- Culture part of a group that think/believes the same things. Diversity: many different people of all backgrounds who have different cultures

Response 2- Culture is the environment you were raised in. Diversity: is a mixture of culture, race and religion.

Response 3- Culture is a combination of beliefs and traditions that help shape who we are as a people  and our way of life. Diversity: is the many different types of cultures, backgrounds, races, religions, gender, etc. 

Aspects that were omitted were things such as disabilities, language, socioeconomic status, etc. 

Looking at those I know and love response to the questions shows just how limited our view is on what culture and diversity is. We never really take the time to look beyond the surface. Which affects how we connect with with adults, children etc. Its shows how much we know or what we consider to be our culture and what diversity is. I really want to understand more about what my culture actually is and look beyond the surface in my life and those that I serve. 

My Family Culture

My Family Culture

The three items I would have for my family would be a battery operated radio so that we can get updates on the that catastrophe and information about where and how we should evacuate. Another item would be flashlight so that we could see where we are going in case it gets dark while we are traveling or if we have to travel by foot. Last supply I would take would be water to drink and/or clean food, clothes, drink etc. with. If I had to keep one personal item and had to give up the other two it would be the battery operated radio. I would feel uneasy about it of course, but at least the radio can inform me about what is going on around me. 

This exercise helped me to realize that I need to work on my survival skills and goes to show that this new culture would not know what to do if a true catastrophe struck. However, I think that when my culture is in a fight or flight situation we always find the fight in us. Its embedded in who are based upon our history of oppression. We have always fought and still are.