Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

For this week’s topic of study we addressed the realizations of microaggression throughout our nation, and our local areas we personally reside in.  For every individual there are hidden bias.  These biases were established and formed from birth.  As a child is indeed just like a sponge, soaking up all the surrounding experiences and environments.  The culture a child is born in contributes to the views they adapt, for the most.  People can have the best intentions, but not realize how the hidden bias can affect their conversation or behaviors.  An example of microaggression that I observed, or a comment I personally made.  I was out of state on my honeymoon/family vacation and had my oldest 2 children at the pool.  This was a pool at a resort in Florida, there was indeed diversity amongst the people playing in the pool and enjoying the sun.  I was sitting at a table reading this week’s resources, as I watched my children swim.  There were several other tables and people sitting together.  There was a bee flying around the several tables.  I am very allergic to bees, to the point I am EpiPen dependent.  Due to the discovery of this allergy I went into anaphylactic shock, very scary.  As a mother and having my kids outside, I am constantly on edge because of this fear.  Nevertheless, as I was sitting there reading and watching my children.  The bee came to my table, I had my EpiPen, but still got up and quickly walked away from the bee.  The gentleman at the table swatted at the bee and was able to kill it.  He made a comment to the other 2 individuals sitting with him, “I didn’t want to kill it, but it was getting on my nervous.”  Personally grateful, I responded to him, “Thank you so much for killing the bee, I am EpiPen dependent and they make me very nervous.  I was close to running away, and y’all were getting ready to see how fast this white woman could run.”  Of course after
I said it, I immediately thought to myself, “Really!”  “Leslie you just read about this and observed a video referring to microaggressions.  The response from the individuals at the table beside me was indeed positive.  They laughed and conversation continued.  Maybe a form of breaking the ice, but still hidden biases was present.  The stereotype that black people can run faster than white people, apparently is ingrained to say.  Now reflecting back I am glad that my actions were not taken in a negative or rude manner, as indeed that was not my intentions.  I like to think of myself as an open-minded individual, but reality is we all are affected by the history of microaggressions of prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping.  Whether we are the target or whether we aim. 

            After reviewing all the remaining resources for this week and reflecting on the event of microaggression that I personally engaged in, I can see that everyone needs to reflect.  Even when you feel or believe that you accept everyone no matter the difference, our ingrain culture of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping exist.  Just as my actions, I have a diverse group of friends from all walks of life.  My biological family is diverse as well.  Never do I aim to point out differences in a negative way.  Perhaps my thoughts and comments are related to the facts I am aware of?  For example in my hometown, when I was in high school there was only 2 schools in our county.  From the encountering of those peers in sports events, the majority of speed were indeed of African Americans.  Speed from track and field, running backs in football, stealing bases in baseball, and the ability to bet most players at the net in basketball.  Therefore I could say that sometimes perceptions can be incorrect, it is not the over-all exact experience, but the facts of one’s population and culture.  Through this week’s experience and resources, I feel my awareness is indeed heighten.  I challenge everyone to evaluate their actions and behaviors to others that are different from you.  We also need to remember we have diversity for a reason, to create harmony together.  Utilizing skills and experiences individuals have to offer.  How boring if we all were the same. 

            A great source for any one to measure their unconscious bias is through the use of Implicit Association Test, IATs.  Personally I took one of the test related to race and I apparently have hidden bias that was discovered in the test.  From the example above apparently I indeed do.  Not that I have hate or ill-will for anyone, but the reality of how history impacts us allows for one to grow and change.  I challenge everyone to take these test and evaluate their hidden bias, so we can attempt to truly remain open-minded and accepting.  (Teaching Tolerance, n.d.)

Resource    

Teaching Tolerance. (n.d.). Test yourself for hidden bias. Retrieved May 25, 2011, from            http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias