This week has
been very interesting. I never realized the amount of macroagreesions that
surround us on a daily basis through television, radio, and public interaction.
This week has really opened my eyes.
This week the
one instance of micoaggression that really stood out what when I went with a
friend to the grocery. We both needed to do out Thanksgiving shopping and
thought the task would be more fun to do together. When we finally filled out
carts and headed for the checkout. There were two other families in front of
us; both were African-American like my friend. They both finished their
transactions and it was my friend’s turn. She received her total and began to
pay. The cahier said, “wow! You have cash, I thought you would have a food
stamp card like every other person today;” and gestured to the other people who
had left and had been in front of us. My friend just laughed it off and said,
“No, I have cash.” I was shocked that this conversation took place and that the
cashier did not even seem to see anything wrong with her statement. I felt hurt
and embarrassed for my fiend. I also felt like I wanted to say something in
defense but also did not want to make the situation more uncomfortable.
Not just this instance but also others I have witnessed this week have
opened my eyes to the level of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes that
I thought were non-existent. I have also come to realize that these comments
made are far more hurtful than outright discrimination, prejudice, and/or
stereotypes. The comments are like little jabs to your sole that come out of
nowhere and attack. My eyes are far more open.
7 comments:
Sherene,
People are always making assumptions of others. Some are more obvious than others. If that would have happened to my friend she would have said something and made sure that everyone heard her. She does not like it when people assume things about her. I don't either. I grew up around people that always made assumptions about other people including my family. It was not a pleasant feeling.
Unattended or intended words hurt at times and we all need to be aware of what we are saying.
Luci
Hi Sharene
You make a valid point when you say that the subtle comments that occur regularly can be more hurtful then an outright display of aggression. The effect of these comments are definitely cumulative and can effect a child’s developing self image and their self esteem. With outright displays of discrimination it is easier to to defend yourself, but the subtle comments can pass by in a quick conversation and when you reflect on it later, the impact of what was said can leave you feeling uncomfortable.
Sherene,
I can tell you that this is certainly something that I would feel compelled to report to the management, and higher if needed. Not only was it a very inappropriate and hurtful statement, it was also an invasion of privacy! It was not one's business but the customer's what form of payment they used, and not any business of the cashier to discuss it with another customer! This lack of consideration for the customer (microaggression and invasion of privacy) is a good way to lose customers as well as perpetuate negative ideas!
Lea
Sharene,
That was quite a microaggression! It is those type of assumptions that can hinder a person and make them feel so bad about themselves. That is a person that needs to learn the concept of thinking before speaking.
I am glad your friend took it so well; however, I am sure she felt bad about it after she went home and thought on it.
I agree Lea! We must get over being uncomfortable talking about this type of micro aggression and bring it to the attention of the aggressors. Did the cashier feel she was giving Sharene's friend a compliment? Bringing the absurdity to the cashiers attention may possibly cause the them to critically think about the statement.
We are all familiar with microaggressions we just now have a label to identify the comments that people make now. It is hard to believe that a cashier would make this comment out loud to a customer. If I was that customer I would have talked to the cashier about the comment. He/She may not have even realized the comment he was making was offensive.
Wow! It is so ridiculous the things that people come out with. I would have wanted to say something myself if a worker made a comment similar like that to me. It is hard to think of what to say when you are in that situation. Sometimes it is easier to ignore the comment then to make a big deal of what was said.
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