Microaggressions around us

It was really very interesting to be consciously looking for signs of discrimination and microaggressions. I think that when you are aware of this and making an effort to hear and see them you will be surprised how often and how many times it occurs.  Often it is unintentional and no harm intended, more ignorant than anything else.

People seem to say and do things and not even realize that it is inappropriate and harmful to others. It was enlightening to listen to Dr Sue (Laureate Education, 2010), where she addresses the issues around microaggressions.

Being born and raised in South Africa one can only imagine the constant micro insults that would occur.  Sadly it was often more direct and outright racism.  Although there were ignorant people who thought they were not racism but there actions were enough to see that they were. An example is our neighbour when I was growing up.  An elderly lady who had a Black maid working in the house and a gardener who was referred to as the garden boy, even though he was a man in his late 60’s.  She lived alone and they helped her to run her home. Without them she would not have been able to stay in the house alone.  I can remember going over to visit and play with the dog and at lunch time the maid and the gardener would get their lunch, made by the maid, on separate tin plates and cups.  These cups and plates were not kept in the kitchen but in the scullery away from the old ladies own crockery.  They had to eat outside and there was a separate toilet for them outside as well.  Perhaps these are drastic forms of aggression and insults and not micro at all.  However the old lady did not see or realise that she was treating them differently or badly.  This is what was done in those times by many white people. She was sweet to them and they were happy to have a job.  It strikes me that even as a young child I questioned this and noticed the separation.

Having looked around me this week and trying to notice more of these things in daily life was interesting.  The Dutch are extremely liberal people and very aware of these things.  They are aware of categorizing and labeling people.  I did however witness something at school.  We had a boy of 10 years old (South American) and the teacher (British) was complaining that he had not finished his homework for the 3^rd time this week. Another teacher (Australian) commented, “oh but you know the South Americans, they so laid back and late with everything, he probably doesn’t even realize that it needs to be done today”. No one really thought the comment was inappropriate. I do feel that was a microinsult towards a boy and his culture.

Stereotyping is not appropriate and can be harmful to others. We need to be aware of our words and our actions as teachers.  As teachers we need to role models of the correct behaviors towards one another as well as being aware of any microaggressions or harmful behaviors that are occurring and help children or staff and families to deal with these issues.

References
Laureate education, Inc. (Executive producer). (2010). "Microaggressions in Everyday life"Baltimore, MD: Author