Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

     I did not realize, until after this week's topic of microaggression, that my friend and I take part in this action every time we are around each other. We make "silly" comments about where we live and our economic status, me being the "rich" girl from a wealthy neighborhood and she being the "poor" girl from the barrio. We have always viewed it as joking around, but now it has made me think, are we just joking or is there an underlying insult message??? 
     I believe we have never meant to hurt the other's feelings. However, I can see now how an outsider who overhears us may take it differently. I can also understand how the repetitiveness of these jokes can cause harm to either one of us and/or both of us, with neither ever questioning the issue of what is the other trying to insinuate? 
     I am trying to wrap my head around the fact that I unknowingly participated in microaggression. I cannot believe that my joking around with a friend could be such a thing. It has made me reconsider my comments and think about if I can continue with our "friendly" banter. It does not make me feel so great that I unintentionally could have caused her harm, distress, or made her feel inferior to me.

Comments

  1. Donna HoltMarch 31, 2019 at 1:08 PM

    Trisha,

    This week, we have learned that a microaggression is a comment or action that unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a bias toward a group of people. You and your friend playfully tease each other with no intention of causing harm. Because you have become more aware of microaggressions and how easily and unconsciously they can occur, you are more apt to notice when they occur. This may provide an opportunity to have a sit down discussion with your friend and identify the underlying meaning to your playful name calling.

    Wishing you well,
    Donna

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  2. Kiara PalmerMarch 31, 2019 at 1:24 PM

    Trisha,

    I enjoyed reading your blog. I am glad that you shared your personal experience with microaggression because often times I joke with my peers and not think anything of it until now. I believe that because you and your friend share a friendship with each other this is seen as no harm done. Like you stated an outsider would not see it as a joke. I agree learning about microaggressions has made me even more cautious with my daily interactions with my coworkers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 31, 2019 at 7:30 PM

    Hi Trisha. I enjoyed reading your post. I believe that by you both are close friends and joke around a lot, I don't believe that there's no harm done. As long as both of you know how far to go with it, then there's an understanding between the both of you. I'm sure that since both of you are friends, you will let each other know when one of you have like crossed that line. I'm sure that neither of you would mean any harm about it and can talk about it. Great post.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Haleema HicksApril 1, 2019 at 4:31 PM

    I think you have really grown in-golfed in this weeks lesson. I think it takes true self reflection to be able to address the error in our own ways and you have done that here. Well Done!

    ReplyDelete

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