Practicing Awareness of
Microaggressions
For this assignment, I decided to focus on what I
perceived to be intentional and/or unintentional indignities towards
others. I paid close attention when I
was grocery shopping this week. I observed
reactions of the cashiers and even other shoppers as customers paid with a food
stamp credit card. When I paid close
attention, it was amazing at the different reactions you can detect. One surrounding customer was making comments
to a friend about the type of items that were being purchased. He noticed that this customer was able to
purchase better quality items that he could afford. He seemed somewhat upset. Unfortunately, no one knows the personal
situation of this individual. There are
absolutely necessary reasons someone would need to accept financial assistance;
especially, to take care of their children.
Unfortunately, there are some that may misuse the system. This can have harmful implications and
perceptions on families that truly need this help to survive. I have reflected on my own thoughts. I am embarrassed to say there have been times
I have wondered how some individuals decide how to use the assistance they
receive. As an educator, I have learned
to make every effort not to make presumptions.
Being open to learn about my children helps everyone involved. This quality should be used in all aspects of
life.
In conclusion, I can see how this type of behavior could
lead to discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people. People that make assumptions without full
knowledge of the situation may cause distress on others. It may cause resentment among others, destroy
self-esteem, and affect our children.
Adults are their role models. If
they observe their parents talking or acting in a derogatory manner towards
others, they may take on these feelings and act the same way towards their
peers.
Cindy, I loved the idea of using your observations at the grocery store to reflect on this week's learning. It is amazing that the way we see things everyday can take a different form after gaining new knowledge about a certain issue. I, too, noticed myself observing and looking for episodes of microaggression at the clinic today. Unfortunately, I have noticed a few in the brief period I have spent there. As children have already started their summer vacation here, I cannot observe this in the classroom yet. I do look forward to a new school year, so I can put my new acquired knowledge into practice. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCindy, I enjoyed reading your post. It doesn't surprise me the way people are treated that use food stamps. I have become very conscious of the words I speak after taking this week class. Let's continue to help spread the word about the different forms of microaggressions.
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteYou provided us with such a strong, and common microaggression that I believe many of us have either experienced or witnessed. For example, I am a 26 year old mother to a two year old, however I truly look as if I am lucky to be 16...my experiences at the grocery store have resulted in me being the target of very subtle, unintentional, but hurtful microaggressions. While checking out at the register on several occasions I have been asked by the cashier, usually much older than myself, if I will be using my Food Stamps assistance card. From this the lady was implying that because I look like a young, single mom I must be on Food Stamps when in fact I am not a teenaged, I am not a single mom, and I am not on Food Stamps. I am certainly not implying there is anything wrong or negative associated with Food Stamps, but merely stating the point that it was an hurtful microaggression to devalue my independence and wealth because of my youthful appearance.
Thank you for sharing your observations and conclusions!
Shawna
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteThat was a wonderful post and oh so true. Often times I go into a store and sometimes I notice how people often stare at others when they pay for their food with food stamp cards. Sometimes there are smirks on faces towards differences of people. Its not right but it is reality in the world that we live in and a change needs to come.