I have experienced microaggression as an African American female. I walked in a clothing store one day to shop. As soon as I entered the store the sales associate, which was a white female ask me if I needed assistance. I had just entered the store. She didn’t give me a chance to browse the items. I politely told her “no thank you, I am just looking.” She continued to stare at me while I continued to do my shopping. There were other customers that she could have asked if they needed her help. These customers were also white. One of the everyday insults, indignities and demeaning messages sent to people of color by well-intentioned white people are unaware of the hidden messages being sent by them (Laureate Education, 2011). I was followed around the store as if I was a criminal. The hidden message I received was: All Black people are criminals.
According to Dr. Sue ((Laureate
Education, 2011), microaggression is a verbal behavior towards, race, gender,
sexual orientation as well as disabilities. I consider this to be a racial
aggression. Even though microaggression could be intention and unintentional,
this action was clearly intentional. Racial microaggressions are the brief and
everyday sights, insults, indignitied and denigrating messages sent to people
of color by well-intentioned White people who are unaware of the hidden message
being communicated.
This incident made me more aware of the
power of actions and words, when it comes to intentional insults. My best practices are to
treat each and every individual with respects and care.
Reference
Laureate
Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011c). Microaggressions in Everyday Life [DVD].
Baltimore, Learning MD. Author.
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