This week was the last week of school. Throughout the midst of this week, I was involved in a conversation that was related to low-income families. Although the conversation did not go off the rails. There were a few statements that were borderline microaggressions. Statements such as , "They love their way of living, this is how they operate in order to work the system", and "They do not care, as long as they can continue to get over on the government." My question could have been, "Who are they?" Having just watched the video regarding Microagressions, that is indeed what I should have asked. However, I did not. I was shocked because this is typical conversation that I have been engaging in myself. It was not until this week's studies that I became sensitive to microagressions. I, myself, have been guilty of this so many times. Since learning about microagressions this week, I have become MORE sensitive in what I say and what I laugh at during conversations.
I think that when we are a participant in a conversation, in which microagressions are very apparent, we should have enough courage to eliminate stigmas and bias' related to ethnic groups, racial composition and disabilities.
Kensha, Your last paragraph is so true.I think a lot of people don't want to deal with the confentation of addressing the microaggression with the perpetrator.
ReplyDeleteI too have heard many of those types of statements in the last week or two. Mine unfortunetly came from friends. I have a friend who we all believe to be "working the system", and there have been some comments made about her and her children that have made me feel uncomfortable. Her children did not chose the life they are in as most children do not have that ability. For people to generalize about those types of subjects it sadens me. Great post this week, I am glad I found your blog.
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