By: Jasmine Smith
Microaggressions are extremely dangerous because in most cases people are unintentionally projecting them unto others. At the same time, microaggressions can also be intentional and used as a passive-aggressive way to spread bias or stereotype about a specific group without coming off too hateful. This includes “hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes toward stigmatized or culturally marginalized groups.” In other words they can be instances of racism, homophopia, sexism, etc. masked as innocent comments, gestures, jokes, etc. They also be often masked as back-handed compliments that compliment you, but bashes the community you belong to. They can cause people to feel slightly uncomfortable. Nonetheless, whether intentional or not, microaggressions are not cool and can cause a lot of damage. Let’s take a look at some variations of microaggressions and what they look like.
Microaggressions can also be found in the classroom. According to Derald Wing Sue, Ph.D., these are the microaggressions to watch out for in the classrooms:
Failing to learn to pronounce or continuing to mispronounce the names of students after they have corrected you. Scheduling tests and project due dates on religious or cultural holidays. Disregarding religious traditions or their details. (Ex. Impacts of fasting) Setting low expectations for students from particular groups, neighborhoods, or feeder patterns. Calling on, engaging and validating one gender, class, or race of students while ignoring other students during class. Assigning student tasks or roles that reinforce particular gender roles or don’t allow all students flexibility across roles and responses. Anticipating students’ emotional responses based on gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity. Using inappropriate humor in class that degrades students from different groups. Expressing racially charged political opinions in class assuming that the targets of those opinions do not exist in class. Using the term “illegals” to reference undocumented students. Hosting debates in class that place students from groups who may represent a minority opinion in class in a difficult position. Singling students out in class because of their backgrounds. Expecting students of any particular group to ‘represent’ the perspectives of others of their race, gender, etc. in class discussions or debates. Denying the experiences of students by questioning the credibility and validity of their stories. Assigning class projects or creating classroom or school procedures that are heterosexist, sexist, racist, or promote other oppressions, even inadvertently. Using sexist language. Using heteronormative metaphors or examples in class. Assuming the gender of any student. Continuing to misuse pronouns even after a student, transgender or not, indicates their preferred gender pronoun. Assigning projects that ignore differences in socioeconomic class status and inadvertently penalize students with fewer financial resources. Excluding students from accessing student activities due to high financial costs. Assuming all students have access to and are proficient in the use of computers and applications for communications about school activities and academic work. Assuming that students of particular ethnicities must speak another language or must not speak English. Complimenting non-white students on their use of “good English.” Discouraging students from working on projects that explore their own social identities. Asking people with hidden disabilities to identify themselves in class. Forcing students with non‐obvious disabilities to “out” themselves or discuss them publically. Ignoring student‐to‐student microaggressions, even when the interaction is not course‐related. Making assumptions about students and their backgrounds. Featuring pictures of students of only one ethnicity or gender on the school website. Having students engage in required reading where the protagonists are always white
Now that you know exactly what microaggressions are, I’m sure majority of you can say you’ve experienced it at least once. So, how do you react the next time someone hits you with one? How you respond is up to you. You can either let it go if you decide it isn’t that big of a deal or if you feel the person meant no harm or you can decide to address it. If you do decide to address it, you have the power to decide how and how much time you want to spend on it. You can simply tell them not to do that anymore or you can decide to challenge and educate them. The point is to not allow these microaggressions to consume you and take up your life, but to use them as a teaching point especially in a time when race relations and conversations are so pivotal.
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