Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Microagressions was not a concept I had been aware of prior to this week’s readings and learning. I now realize that I have previously been a target of microagressions. I also realize that in my ignorance that I may have made comments to others that can be considered as microagressions as well. 

While reflecting on this concept, I remembered instances when microagressions were directed at me. As an Asian, over the years I have had many people show surprise at how fluent I am in both speaking and writing English. It is likely that their initial assumption on meeting me is that as an immigrant I will not have a good grasp on English. On the contrary, growing up in Sri Lanka I received a bilingual education and was taught ‘proper’ British English. Just this past week, my colleague and I were waiting in line to order lunch and trying to decide to what to order. When I told my colleague what I had selected she jokingly said “What? You are not getting the curry chicken? In each of these instances, I was not offended but annoyed nevertheless that people make assumptions and make comments without being fully aware. 

I recall another time in which I made a comment to a co-worker that I now realize can be perceived as a microaggression. My co-worker was describing how her Ipad was stolen from her bag while at a coffee shop and how she ran behind the man who stole it. She was able to retrieve it eventually. She was surprised that someone would dare to do so in a crowded place during the day to which I commented that he might not have expected her to give chase like she did. Being in 60’s my co-worker clearly took offense that I implied she was targeted because of her age. I realized my mistake soon after I made the comment but it was a little too late since my comment had already offended my co-worker. 

During the past week, I was fortunate to have been able to attend the NAEYC conference in Washington D.C with my colleagues. The conference was attended by an incredibly diverse group of early childhood professionals. Several of my colleagues and I were trying to decide which restaurant to have lunch at when a Caucasian colleague talked about how a friend of hers confused Korean cuisine with Chinese cuisine to which one my Asian colleagues commented “Oh! It’s just a white people thing!” My colleagues and I are very close and these comments were made in good fun to which no one to offence to. However, under different circumstances the person at the receiving end may have ended up feeling rather uncomfortable. 

Reflecting on these instances in which microaggressions were displayed, I realized how easily our words can cause hurt or damage to another although that may have been far from our intentions. I realize how important it is choose our words carefully when speaking to others to ensure that our words will not unintentionally offend them or harm them in any way.