Practicing
Awareness of Microaggressions
One microaggression I witness
this week came from my own son, and it was intentional toward his girlfriend
who is of another culture, and she speaks two different languages. He was mocking
her as she spoke to her brother in (Korea) on the phone in her home language, I
was in shock he would intentional act like that to someone he loves, and who
will be having his first child this March. After the watching him and her for a
few minutes, I could tell she was upset. I went on and apologues for his
behavior and told him about my class; Perspectives on Diversity and Equity. I
also notice him making funny of her culture a few more times. I went on to tell
them about the subject we are studying this week, and how Dr. Derald Wing Sue
lecture about, “Microaggressions in Everyday Life”, he shared about a cab
driver, and a white women who believe he was from another country because he
was of Asia descent. They spoke unintentionally, because they were not sure if
he was an American, but they liked how he spoke, so he believes they spoke
unintentionally. So many time people try to make you feel uncomfortable about
who you are or where you come from, but I believe every, and anyone should embrace
their culture and share it when they have the opportunity. I went on and
reminded my son about how he was born overseas and was able to experience many
different cultures, and countries, and he need to embrace his girlfriend
culture too, because of the child they are having together.
After this week of
observation I find myself more aware of what people are saying, and how they
are saying it. As a Black women growing up in the mid 60’s I am very must aware
of what people are saying to me, but this lesson has me listening at another
level to others, as well as my family. I do believe discrimination, prejudice,
and people still putting folk in groups of stereotypes are continuing even in
my family, and I desire to make them aware of what they are saying.
References
"Microaggressions in Everyday
Life", Laureate Education, Inc., (2013)
My blog is;
http://sstrong82-learningtoteachothers.blogspot.com/
Hi Sandra,It is interesting we both had experiences on someone from Korea.I like the way you took the time to make your son become aware of respecting the culture of others who are different from him .Education that starts from home is the key to eliminating racism, discrimination,and prejudices in our society. It was nice reading your blog
ReplyDeleteYour post was interesting to read.I like the how you made effort to correct your son.the reality of our society is that discrimination ,prejudice and microaggression has become deeply rooted in our minds over the years.so most times we perpetrate these act unconsciously without being aware of the implication on others.I believe we reflect and search deeply within ourselves to gradually detach ourselves from misconceptions in order to help others realize how easily they can perpetrate these act without being aware
ReplyDelete