A microaggression that I detected this week is when I had an appointment at the dr. office. The microaggression was racial. I went up to the window to sign in and one of the assistance mumbled “they are never on time.” I do not think that she knew I heard the statement. This was unintentional to me because the assistant did not directly say it to me, even though I knew she was speaking of me because I was running late for the third time. When I felt like the target, I was upset but since we were in a professional environment and she did not make the statement directly towards me, I let it go. It made me feel bad and a target of being stereotyped due to worldviews and personal views from other groups that are different. The assistant was white and never demonstrates any good customer service skills. The assistant never speaks when I speak to her; she spreads her nose up at me when I do speak. My observation experiences this week affected my perception of the effects of stereotypes on people, made me more aware of microaggressions through personal views. I do not believe that all groups of people are the same and not every individual stereotypes certain groups. The reason that I state this is because I work in a diverse atmosphere and groups of people such as white do not disrespect or make me feel any different. In fact the groups of people that I work with that are different from me, actually make me feel better about myself than my own culture.
You know that would have upset me also.Especially if I was standing there and heard her make the comment, but I would have done the same thing let it be like water on a ducks back and roll off.
ReplyDeleteTammie,
ReplyDeleteThe only thing with letting it go is she will continue to make these types of comments. I wish there was a way to take a different approach to these types of situations without making them worse. One day she will make a comment like that to someone who won't be as nice.
Shannon
Tammie,
ReplyDeleteI have frequently been spoken to in Spanish by Spanish-speaking families in the store. I guess it's because of my skin color and "traits" similar to those of Spanish descent. I never understood why. Lucky for me I have taken enough Spanish in my high school and undergraduate classes that I can manage. However, from this, I have learned never to assume just by looks that one may speak a particular language.
Tammie,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you experienced this microagression personally this week. Some people can be rude and insensitive in professional settings. My curiosity was peeked when you mentioned that your colleagues make you feel more secure than your own culture. How so? I applaud your reaction to her comment. You definitely displayed class, but I also agree with Shannon that ignoring the comment will only unintentionally encourage her to continue to use microagressions towards people not like her.
Tammie,
ReplyDeleteWhat I have found is that it is always those unintentional comments that they seem to think are harmless that make us the victim of racial profiling. Though, she didn't say it to your face, she said it loud enough for it to be heard. I think that this is still sad that people are still harboring racist thoughts and that they feel it's ok to put their unfair stereotypes on others.