Microagession breakout box- What is a microaggression?
“Social interactions where members of the dominant culture say or do things to belittle or alienate members of a marginalized group without harmful intent.” SJWiki.org
“The thinnest possible insults, not insulting enough to qualify as regular aggression. Generally unintentional, unnoticed and unimportant, these are intended to draw the attention of everyone in the vicinity, and particularly at university should be avoided at all cost,” Urbandictionary.com
Example: “You’re pretty cute for a dark skinned girl, “from “Microagressions” Tumblr
Listen up, UW microaggressions in all shapes and forms need to be addressed. These passive aggressive insults, back-handed compliments and outright denial that a problem exists need to stop.
Part of the problem with microaggressions is that they are not consciously accompanied by ill will. Often the speaker thinks they are being politically correct, but if college has taught us anything it’s to be weary of good intentions. Sometimes something intended to be helpful does more harm than good. I have yet to meet someone who openly claims to be racist or a misogynist, but unfortunately hear something along the lines of “I’m not racist but…,” “no offensive to you but …” or “why do we even need women’s studies?” on a daily basis.
Being whistled at by a passing truck, a professor calling on you to ask how members of your community feel on an issue as if you’re the minority voice, being asked “where you’re from” or being told “you’re pretty good for a ______” are all things that the many of us can relate to, or see happen daily on this campus and out in the Laramie community.
UW alumni Keenan Montgomery shared his spoken word poem “My Black Experience” with Wyoming Public Media in December about the racist micro and macro aggressions he experienced during his time in Laramie. His poem addresses events that are hard to hear about, but need to be addressed. Sadly racism and sexism does happen on campus and in Laramie at large–even from educated social justice minded individuals. It is up to us to change that.
Problems of calling people out, and making them feel different, inferior or judged because they do not fit into a narrow idea of someone else’s idea of the dominant culture is cowardly. Writing a nasty gram on some comments section of the newest post by that blogger you don’t like is a lovely passive aggressive way to make sure the world at large hears your hate. No one can see your face. No one knows your real name. You didn’t take the risk and write a published article for everyone to comment on and share. Whistling at someone in his or her workout outfit or talking about your one minority friend fall into the same category. So not OK. Most of us don’t engage in such behaviors, those who do need to think again.
To avoiding the pitfalls of microaggressions boils down to the idea that we need to treat each other like human beings. Someone’s not pretty good for a (fill in minority of choice). They’re pretty good. Period. Ask someone about their perspective, ask about their background, some of the challenges they’ve faced, but avoid making them feel small or different. Imagine if they did it to you.
