Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions
In conversation with my husband, I was able to pinpoint an instance when microaggression occurred. My husband and his family used to attend a well-known church in Dallas by the name of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. While attending classes at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he began conversing with one of his adult, white, male, classmate. The two were talking about the churches in which they were members of. When my husband mentioned that he belonged to OCBF, his classmate then said, that he had heard of the church and asked him was Dr. Tony Evans the pastor of OCBF? My husband replied "yes", and then the classmate proceeded to say, "That Pastor Evans, he's a smart one!" Needless to say, Pastor Tony Evans is an African American and the comment my husbands' classmate made was characterized as a microinsult. His comment was demeaning to not only my husband and his pastor but to the entire African American race. My husband's classmate was astonished at how smart African Americans could be and thus how productive they have the ability of being.
In my observations of microaggresions this week, I was able to "put a face to a name'. Dr. Sue provided me with eye-opening information and I was finally able to reach a synopsis to what I have experienced most of my life. I feel as if the phenomenon of microagression is accurate and progressive. I learned so much about this topic and am eager to continue to learn more. Micoraggression, is the epitome of racism and discrimination. Dr. Sue, was correct when he characterized prejudice as presently, more covert than overt. He is doing a great job to educate those who are ignorant and oblivious of the hurt and damage they cause individuals, everyday.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2012). Microaggressions in Everyday Life. [Video webcast]. Retrieved from http://www.courseurl.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Janille...you are right in your example of microaggression. Dr. Sue is also correct by saying these types of acts are often more covert than overt. We always want to assume everyone has the best intentions but as we have learned in the past 2 weeks these negative issues are ones that we have learned along the way from different avenues from family to society to media.
ReplyDeleteJanille,
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how some people view others. During Black History Month my class had to bring in information about inventors that hadn't heard of. Some of the White parents were so shocked to find out all of the things Blacks had created. She even made the stement that this country wouldn't be what it is without Blacks. We need to respect all races and what they have added to our melting pot.
Janille,
ReplyDeleteDr.Sue was great in how he shared this information. Many would think the comment your husband's friend mas was a compliment but it does have many implications inbedded in the comment. This presentation has definitely made me more conscientious about observing such mircoaggressions.
Janille,
ReplyDeleteI too, was delight to finally hear such great information that was spoken by Dr. Sue. Microaggression is a new word for me. Although, I have experienced many microaggression just never knew what to call it. Another thing I liked about Dr. Sue, was how he spoke when he talked. He seemed very convincing and really capture a persons attention.