One example of a micro aggression which I remember from another time, and what context the micro aggression happened was: I belong to a 12 step program that often we get looked at as “those people” or “you people. We all have a common issue that separates use not because of gender, race, or culture, but because we are a unique group of people that share a common bond. I don’t want to elaborate too much on our group but I do know that this is an example of micro-aggression by the way others treat and respond to us as a group. What I feel when sometimes is embarrassed, but I am told that there is no shame in what is going on with me. However I do think that if others knew what brought me to this point in my life they would have a different thought in their minds about what they know about me.
What did I think and feel when I observed the micro aggression that was intentional harm is that they people really don’t know about us (my group) except for what they have heard. The micro-aggression that is unintentional is the fact that they know nothing about us. When you put a group of people together with a common goal and someone’s on the outside looking in, maybe they should invite themselves in before passing judgment on us as a group. I feel that people should get to know others on a personal basis before microaggression can be recognized. Many people do not know what the word is or the definition. I feel if everyone knew the harm it could cause they might not be so much unintentional harm and microaggression can be recognized and delt with in a manner that is not to intentionally harm anyone.
Microaggression
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Microggression is the idea that specific interactions between those of different races, cultures, or genders can be interpreted as mostly non-physical aggression. The term was first coined by American psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce[1]. Sue et al. (2007) describe microaggressions as, “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward people of other races.”[2]
Microaggression usually involves demeaning implications and other subtle insults against minorities, and may be perpetrated against those due to gender, sexual orientation, and ability status.[3][4][5] According to Pierce, “the chief vehicle for proracist behaviors are microaggressions. These are subtle, stunning, often automatic, and nonverbal exchanges which are ‘put-downs’ of blacks by offenders”.[6] Microaggressions may also play a role in unfairness in the legal system as they can influence the decisions of juries.[7]
The ways I observed and experiences this week affect my perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people?
Time changes, seasons change, but I don’t think that a person’s perception changes when they have a fixed idea about another person or group of people, either from someone else opinion or their own selfish motive. People will continue to experience microaggression intentionally or unintentionally. There are just to many people in the world right now that are aware of the harm they are doing.
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