My Awareness of Microaggressions

                                                By Lisa Martin

Racism has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I feel I have spent my entire adulthood working to prove that I am much more than what others say about the color of my skin, and trying to not be overly sensitive to the issue. Yet, every time there is a news story about a burglary or murder, my first thought is please do not be an African-American. Almost every day someone says something or does something that I interpret as racist and insulting. Whether it is the salesperson who offers to show me a similar item after I specifically requested to see the item I was interested in purchasing, because she assumes I cannot afford it, or the client who upon meeting me in person comes out and says they had no idea I was Black from our phone conversations. I do not understand why Black should sound different over the phone.

Microaggressions are a regular occurrence in my day to day life, and always I attempt to disregard them as innocent statements. Every now and then I get hit with a definite microinsult of the Fuzzy Woeller variety. Fuzzy Woeller is the golfer who after Tiger Woods won his first Masters commented that he hoped they would not start serving fried chicken and collard greens at Augusta. The irony about the whole incident is Tiger is not someone who identifies as Black, and there are people rich and poor who do not want race on their calling card. Someone will make a comment implying because I am Black they expect me to not eat certain things or know about certain types of music, every now and then they really speak their mind. In college we were having a dorm meeting about decorating the hall and someone suggested the use of a cocoa color, and one of my dorm mates said the color was ugly and looked like my skin. On this occasion, I did lose my self-control and said some very bad things to her. For the most part, I simply ignore the statements made by others that signify their lack of understanding of an entire race of people and an ignorance of the concept of seeing the person first and foremost. Unfortunately, many people still see color and have trouble seeing beyond that.

This week’s reading resources have provided me with a greater awareness of how these seemingly harmless comments can be detrimental. Thanks to the readings and videotape I am happy to know that racism and all the other isms are alive and well in this country and I am not overly sensitive. I have also learned that no matter how culturally aware and unbiased I may believe I am, we all have issues and prejudices that have been woven into the fabric of our lives and as teachers it is extremely important to be able to work through and above them. I was especially drawn to the information on internalized oppression. So many of us are walking around carrying pain and anger we have brought upon ourselves, and through our actions may it difficult to let go. Among this group are children who are hiding within themselves feeling inferior and as if they do not belong.

As I have stated previously, culture and diversity are subjects that warrant ongoing education and lifelong learning. People made fun of the President when he said his view on same sex marriage had evolved, but the truth is our positions on issues of diversity are constantly evolving – sometimes in the wrong direction.