: Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Blog Assignment: Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

Generally speaking, foremost as learned, a microaggression is the casual degradation or persecution of a given downgraded group. I have been able to detect an example of microaggression that was based on race. Unfortunately, Racism is still an ongoing menace in our societies. For one thing, I live in North Carolina, a small-town that is primarily populated by persons from the White race and sometimes individuals from the White race in my area do act as though they are superior to any group that is different, this is the name of the South prejudice and Racism. To make a long story short, one of my White equals invited me to a Spring Festival. This is the microaggression, the person said, “I hope you come, there will be plenty of Watermelon and Fried Chicken, so I know you will enjoy yourself”.   I replied, I am sure I will enjoy myself, but I really do not like Watermelon or Fried Chicken. Since I felt the invite was just for conversation purposes, still, I was insulted and do feel it was intentional, and I probably will not attend.   The Black race community is disregarded a lot and has less political and socio-economic power as compared to the White race community. In my endeavors, I have on numerous occasions witnessed the police department harassing and making casual degrading remarks to people of the Black race. For example, I once heard a police officer telling a Black person that “you guys are just chaotic and muddied; you need to be dealt with harshly.” The Black person was merely lying on the ground minding his business. Though the remark seems casual, it amounted to the degradation of the recipient who is a member of a marginalized group. The hidden message in these remarks is that the police have total hatred and prejudice against the members of the Black community race. The police perceive, and profile every Black person as a threat to peace and stability. In my opinion, I feel sorrowful and remorseful when I see people from marginalized groups being subjected to such microaggressions. I wonder what truly could be the causes of these microaggressions and ways in which these hazards can be reduced or prevented. As human beings, I believe we owe each other a duty to a peaceful and harmonious co-existence.

In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people

            My perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people has been furthered by this week’s observation’s experiences. Discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping are negative vices that lead to bias against select groups of people. People who are subjected to these vices suffer from psychological and social harm. Such people feel less regarded as compared to their fellow human beings who are not being persecuted, prejudiced, discriminated or stereotyped. Also, these vices may lead to cultural discontinuity. Persons from marginalized cultures opt to leave their cultures for cultures that have a greater political and socio-economic power. They consequently lose their values, beliefs, and customs in the quest of a sense of belonging to a superior culture.

            Also, it should be understood that these negative vices not only take place in an express manner; they can suffice as microaggressions or omissions. As stated, one can make casual remarks that have a hidden message amounting to prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination. We should be conscious of our remarks and endeavors to appreciate the diversities of all human beings; this will reduce the aspects of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping.

Walden University M.S. in Early Childhood Studies

Criteria for Blog Assignments

Quality of Work Submitted	Satisfactory 4/4 points	3/4 points	2/4 points	1/4 points	Unsatisfactory   0/4 points
Adherence to Assignment Expectations The extent to which work meets the assigned criteria.	Assignment meets expectations and reflects graduate-level critical, analytical thinking. All key components are included: Initial post submitted with 2 comments to other students’ blogs.	Initial post submitted with 1 comment to other students’ blogs.	Initial post not submitted with 2 comments to other students’ blogs.  OR Initial post submitted with no comments to other students’ blogs.	Initial post not submitted with 1 comment to other students’ blogs.	Does not fulfill the expectations of the assignment. Key components are not included:  Initial post not submitted with no comments to other students’ blogs.

It is expected that all blog assignments will be submitted according to the assignment due dates indicated. As with discussions, it is important blog posts are completed within the week assigned so that others have a chance to both read and respond to your posts.  For that reason, late assignments may receive a maximum score of 2/4. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the faculty member and in accordance with the Late Policy.