This
week, I carefully observed my own and other people’s verbal interactions to
detect examples of microaggressions; the verbal behaviors that create feelings
of uncertainty, inferiority or marginalization (Laureate Education, 2011). Now
that I have learned about microaggressions and am more aware, I was surprised
and saddened by the number of insults I witness everyday.
A
few days ago, there was a knock at the door of my preschool and my coworker
Luisa answered it. There were two nicely dressed young men who smiled and began
“trying” to speak to Luisa (loudly) in Spanish. Luisa patiently smiled back and
responded to the young men in English. The encounter was brief, but as Luisa
closed the door she looked at me and asked “How come people think that just because
I am Hispanic, I can’t understand English and why do they scream when they try
to speak my language?” I didn’t have an answer for Luisa and I could see the
frustration on her face. Over the years Luisa has shared with me the biases and
racism she has experienced as an immigrant to the Napa Valley from Mexico. She
came to the U.S to help her family and twenty-five years later, things have not
improved as much as she hoped.
This
microaggression was a clash of racial realities. As Dr. Sue explains, people
might be trying to be friendly, but the recipient is receiving an insult
(Laureate Education, 2011). Luisa understands that the offense was
unintentional and invisible, however over time these experiences leave
deep-rooted scars.
After
studying microaggressions, I am definitely more careful of every word that
comes out of my mouth. I am also beginning to feel more confident speaking up
when I observe a microaggeression. I believe most people are well intentioned
and simply need to be made aware of the hurtful and discriminatory remarks they
make.
References
Laureate Education (Producer).
(2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved
from https://class.waldenu.edu
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