A microaggression I remember was done by me towards a young lady. After my arrival in France a couple of years ago, I was taking a course in French language at a language school. There was a young lady also taking the course with me and I could bet on the fact that she was from South-Central Asia and Indian to be precise based on her features and accent. Over time, we became quite friendly and I asked her where she was from because I had overhead the instructor say something about Africa while referring to her. She told me she was from Kenya and I laughed at her and said "no you are not". She was quite insistent that she was Kenyan and then she asked me why I doubted her. I told her that she does not look Kenyan but Indian or South-Central Asian. I pointed out her hair texture and length, her complexion and even her accent. In her bid to convince me, she told me some stories about her friends some of who were Nigerians and her life in Kenya etc. It took me some minutes but I apologised to her and our conversation continued on to something else.
I felt bad for putting her in such a position where she found it necessary to defend her nationality and probably added to whatever discriminations she may have faced. After that incident, I read up about Kenya and how the Indians migrated there, settled and grew their families there.
My observation experience this week has made me become conscious of my thoughts and perceptions of people even before I voice them out. I was quick to judge and categorise people based on what I saw or perceived of them which may not be very inaccurate. These microaggressions are damaging to a person's self esteem and psychological state especially if such a person is not grounded in who they are. It made me realise that I need to deal with my own biases in order not to project it on other people.
Time Well Spent
At the start of this program, I did not know what to expect because I made a complete career change from having a Masters degree in Biochem...
Stereotypes. Where do they come from? Who influences our thought processes? In my opinion, the mass media is very influential in advertisement and creating views that we have on people in the world. My first view of Africans were that of naked, dark complected, matted texture hair individuals living in small huts. These images are rather obscured. My interactions were limited and the only views I had were those presented by the media. With that, I agree and am now embarrassed when I think of things regarding microaggressions. Thanks for sharing your views.
ReplyDeleteAdiele,
ReplyDeleteThis course is very beneficial for all of us as an early childhood professional. What you had experienced with the lady who looks from South-Central Asia and Indian but she was Kenyan is setting up a very good example for teachers in the classroom to not judge or assume families and children with no matter who they look like, their accent, their attitude, and behavior.