It has been a challenge trying to pinpoint and occasion where microaggression has taken place in my environment.
An example that I would have recalled is where one of my aunts usually make comments jokingly to our family who come from the Caribbean where things are not as developed, or prices not as reasonable in the US etc. She would make comments such as "you can use the speedy internet to communicate", which is a sarcasm filled statement (this was when we only had dial-up and it would always cut out etc). Other statements would be like, it's better here (US) etc. kinda down grading where the family is from.
I would not say it is purposefully done, since most times when microaggression statements are made they are not seen as offensive initially. I do have a better understanding of microaggression and though I may have found the statements a little offensive I would not have pushed it because then it would be said that I am taking it too serious just like Dr. Sue was told in the video clip.
Hello Kiendra,
ReplyDeleteIt was hard for me as well to pinpoint an occasion. I had to think about it, and I did come up with one from a long time ago that I experienced. The thing about microagression is that it is usually not on purpose, but it does make the person getting the microagression feel horrible or bad about who they are, or what they are doing, etc... This week was very interesting. in my experiences with microagression, I have experienced what Dr. Sue describes as a "catch 22" where you think someone is making a racial or bias microagression, but what and how do you respond without seeming too sensitive or taking it out of context. This can be a real struggle. Great post, Kiendra!