Practicing Awareness of Microaggression

For many of you, you may not have a full understanding of the meaning of microaggression. According to Laureate (2011), microaggression is the intended or unintended remarks or behaviors people say or do to others to make the individual feel uncertain, inferior, marginalized or cause unsettling emotions. After reading this definition, I begin to search my memory to see if I was a person who impedes microaggression upon others. We are all guilty of this at some point in our lives; now that you and I have a better understanding, we should become aware of the ways we talk and act towards others. There are many categories of microaggression including racial (racism), religion (religion-ism), sexual orientation (classism), and ability (ableism) (2011). Take a moment to recall the last time you were a victim or witnessed someone else being a victim of microaggression; did the comments pertain to race, religion, sexual orientation, or the abilities of you or the individual? After becoming aware of the part I played in this topic, I began to explore ways I could change my circumstances.

Now I work as a nanny, and I am able to witness many forms of microaggression. The other day, the four-year-old that I was caring for told me that his little brother could not do something (whether cleaning-up, listening, etc.), because he was too little and he does not understand what I am saying. I feel that this is a form of ableism because; the boy assumes his two-year-old brother cannot perform duties because of his age. I am sure many of you may say, the boy is only four and he does not know what he is saying, and he does not mean anything negative about the comment he made. You are correct, he does not mean anything negative (this is a form of microaggression) whether he knows it or not. It does not matter if you are four or ninety-four it is still considered microaggression. This week, I was the target of microaggression when I was at a park. I was with the family I work for and I was introduced as the nanny. My family (people I work for) and I are from three different nationalities; you should have witnessed the behaviors of the by standers when I was introduced as the nanny. By the looks on their faces and their hesitation to speak, I am sure they were wondering why they hired a black nanny. After witnessing their behavior, I did not feel comfortable; I simply walked away and continued to do my job. I was thinking, “Wow did they really just stare at me and look at me as if I were incapable of performing my duty as a nanny? I bet I am more qualified than all three of those women put together. Anyway, I am the one being paid well for my skills and abilities. Thank God for unbiased people.”

Through my observations this week, my perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes on people have improved greatly. I realized that words and actions could hinder, harm, and hurt those who are victims of microaggression. Although some individuals pretend that they are unaware of their actions, microaggression continues to have an emotional, physical, and psychological effect on those who are victims. Microaggression not only leaves lasting scars on their victims, but also, individuals do not receive adequate employment, health insurance, or health care because of these biases (Laureate, 2011).

Lah-Lah

Reference

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu