This is a response to a few articles I have read in regards to microaggressions, and I feel that my insight and reading the originals may help someone to understand what an issue microaggressions truly are.
I
have heard of microaggressions several times and maybe I am naive but I tend to
believe that they are unconsciously spoken, not intentionally said to demean a
person. At least that is how I have tried to view them when directed at me for
being a woman. It is a perpetual intentional blind spot. People want to think
of themselves as not racist, and not privileged especially in America. We want
to think we earned everything ourselves, that we are tolerant of everyone and
be perceives as such. The fact is that racism is ingrained into American
culture and it is not over. It takes acknowledging that it might just be how
you view people too, however small of a level. I realize that some people do
intend to inflict harm verbally through the use of microaggressions sadly, and
we should not ignore them, we need to educate them if racism is ever to be a
thing of the past.
When
the article mentioned that “most White Americans are unaware of the advantages
they enjoy in this society and of how their attitudes and actions unintentionally
discriminate against persons of color” (Bucceri, et al., 2007) I couldn’t agree
more. It is very true that it is not seen nor acknowledged that white people as
the “majority” culture in America do not see and refuse to believe we have it
easier. If I had been born another ethnicity and a woman I would be facing even
harder up hill battles in my life to be treated equally. It hurts white
self-perception to actually succumb to the reality that you did not earn much
of the respect and ease at which you travel through your life.
I
have experienced microaggressions for being a woman frequently. Comments about
how I dress or hints at how I belong at home, not working, etc. I find that
women are looked down upon as a lesser species by many men. Phrases like “Just
let it go,”, “You are overreacting,” or “It’s not a big deal”. Minimalizing my
feelings because I am a woman. As a woman I face unequal wages for no other
reason than my gender when in the same position as a man with the same
credentials. (Making the Invisible Visible:
Gender Microaggressions, 2013) .
Some
examples of what women go through all the time are: “An assertive female
manager is labeled as a "bitch," while her male counterpart is
described as "a forceful leader." (Hidden message: Women should be
passive and allow men to be the decision makers.) A female physician wearing a
stethoscope is mistaken as a nurse. (Hidden message: Women should occupy
nurturing and not decision-making roles. Women are less capable than men). Whistles
or catcalls are heard from men as a woman walks down the street. (Hidden
message: Your body/appearance is for the enjoyment of men. You are a sex
object.)” (Sue, 2010)
I
have never been afraid of being a strong smart woman, but knowing I will be
judged for it does serve to worry me. It can make me rethink how I say
something, how I present myself making my requests with more smiles or a
gentler voice so as not to be seen as a threat. It should not have to be that
way. I have been catcalled, but luckily it has never been face-to-face only
with a car driving quickly by. Catcalls and male aggression are terrifying to
me.
My only disagreement is that I
think that it is a combination of people becoming more and more “touchy” over
smaller perceived slights as well as people thinking just that. If you just
push aside others’ perceived insult as insignificant you are part of the
problem. I believe it is both sides, we should endeavor to be less offended
because we cannot know truly what someone means, but we should attempt not to
gloss over how people feel. It is imperative to try to understand others’
feelings and also try not to cause offence because it is the right thing to do.
As a counsellor, as a human being, be
aware you have them, you do them, you say them. Be honest with yourself that
they happen, even by accident and try to change them over time. We may never
abolish them completely because no one is perfect. Try noticing when other
people say these things, recall if you have said something similar in the past
or even just thought it. Being aware is the first step, then preventing saying
or doing anything that can be a microaggression. We can all improve and do
better, and we need to in order to be culturally competent counselors.
References
Baruth, L. G., & Manning, M. L. (2012). Multicultural
Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Lifespan Approach (5th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson.
Bucceri, J. M., Capodilupo, C.
M., Esquilin, M., Holder, A. M., Nadal, K. L., Sue, D. W., & Torino, G.
C. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for
clinical practice. American Psychologist(May-June), 271-286.
Making the Invisible
Visible: Gender Microaggressions.
(2013, Fall). Retrieved from University of New Hampshire :
http://www.unh.edu/sites/www.unh.edu/files/departments/affirmative_action_and_equity_office/unh-advance_microaggressions_v3-a.pdf
Sue, D. W. (2010).
Microaggressions: More than just race . Psychology Today. Retrieved
from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/microaggressions-in-everyday-life/201011/microaggressions-more-just-race