Microaggressions happens when insulting or depriving messages, usually unintentional, are communicated verbally, creating feelings of
uncertainty, inferiority or marginalization.Microaggression can effect a person both positively and negatively and they can cover a broad range of topics from, race, culture, age gender etc...Due to inclement weather this week I have not been out of the house. The experience I will share with you happened about a week ago during one of my staff meetings. We were in a workshop for beginning teachers. As an icebreaker we had to introduce ourselves to one another, tell what grade-level we were and what college we attended. After we did that we continued to talk about classroom management and what information we had obtained from our perspective colleges. Most of the teachers in the room had went to East Carolina University which is a very popular college in North Carolina. I on the other hand had attended Elizabeth City State University which is a Historically Black college in North Carolina. The director of the meeting was talking where we obtained our degrees from and she made a statement along the lines of this, "well most of us went to an ivy league college where we were taught different strategies for managing classroom management while others of us went to a Unknown low performing school which probably did not have the accurate resources to provide a substantial education. At that point I felt some type of way about her statement because she had basically said going to an HBCU (historically black college) meant that I did not receive a quality education. The director had made a statement that I think was to be intentional and she degraded a race at the sometime. The reaction in the room were mixed meaning that others had picked up on the statement as well.
After being the target of the microaggression, I came to the realization that prejudice is still alive, and that discrimination and /or stereotypes of other people are real. I have learned the importance of understating a persons race and ethical background is important. You never know how your comments can affect someone. Microagression can happen to anyone and it would make things a lot better if people would think before they speak.
4 comments:
Chawanda, I felt compelled to respond to your blog post because I was truly amazed at the incident you shared. The statement by the meeting facilitator was not only a racial microinsult, it was completely unprofessional to disparage a person’s college degree. How could she profess to know what the quality of anyone’s educational preparation is, since there are so many subjective and individualized variables involved? I was very disturbed to read her statement, and also am surprised that no one called her out on it. I am beginning to understand that geographical differences also bring different attitudes about race and culture. Here in New Jersey the instructor would have been reprimanded for such cultural incompetence—that is, if she was able to safely exit the room first… -Susan
Hi CHawanda,
I feel so frustrated when hearing these inappropriate and unprofessional comments. I think her statement was so rude and carried racial insulting messages. I think professionalism requires adhering to ethical standards that reflect positivity and respect in the work environment.
Chawanda,
For this comment to come from a director goes beyond belief and to think that she is a LEADER. I believe that she felt comfortable insulting others like just because she hold a position of power. It is unfortunate to find out that leaders in the field of education can insult others so openly.
Chawanda,
Thank you for sharing your experience. You went through an bad experience and I am sure this hit you down deep. I don't understand how some people become administrator! Seriously! I am so frustrated just thinking this. Please don't let this defeat you - Show this person what you are made of and give your very best!
I am with you!!!
Maria
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