Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Since I have read and learn about what microaggressions are it is almost easy for me to recognize when it is happening to me or someone else. Dr. Wing Sue (2011) describes microaggression as social exchanges in which a member of a dominant culture says or does something, often accidentally, and without intended malice, that belittles and alienates a member of a marginalized group. The microaggression I was able to detect was between my two daughters. They were talking about the ultrasound my oldest daughter took and the weeks she is pregnant.  My oldest daughter asked my middle daughter what was the calculation of 23 weeks in pregnancy term, but before she could answer the question. My oldest daughter said “can you count unless you need my help”. I immediately said “Don’t do that” my oldest daughter said “do what?” I begin to explain about my homework assignment on microaggression and you are doing it right now to your sister. I let my oldest daughter know that even though she is not saying it directly you are saying that your sister is slow, dumb and cannot count, in which all is wrong and is indirect microaggressions. 

One of my co-workers told me about experience in which her daughter had which involved microaggression between her granddaughter and the nail salon worker. My co-worker’s daughter decided to take her niece to the nail salon. When they got there the nail technician who normally works on their nail was absent. The granddaughter really did not want any of the other workers to do her nails. So she begin to talk about them by saying mean things such as: they do not know how to do nails that good and/or they are stupid because they did not know how to speak English. The aunt said “that’s enough and that is bad to say”.  The granddaughter said “so” and continues to speak saying it is ok because they do not understand what I am saying. So, the granddaughter refused to stop talking that way, so the auntie said “I will not take her with me ever again”. First of all I believe the granddaughter was showing racial aggression and assuming the salon worker could not speak English that she could not understand how the granddaughter was belittling her (salon worker) and be bias.  

In both case I believe it is wrong to belittle another person whether it is knowing or unknowing. It is important be aware of our intent in which we say things to others, so that we will not come out in a way that is discriminating, prejudice and/or stereotyping. I believe with the two above scenario my alert, aware and more knowledgeable to what a microaggression look like came on and I was a little upset about the situation.

References:

Laureate Education (2011). Microaggression in everyday life. Retrieved from http:

            //class. Waldenu. edu