The example of a microaggession that I am sharing is as follows:
I overheard another teacher working with some of the older kids during our academic time at the summer camp, I am working at for the summer. The teacher said to the African-American male student, that "If you do not tighten up and pay attention and quit letting your behavior get in your way, then you are going to be another African-American male that has a label."
When I heard this, I had to stop what I was doing with my group and walk out into the hallway. I thought to myself, how is this child that is going to the 5th grade, know anything about African-American males and how society labels them. This student is going to the 5th grade, however he has a documented learning disability, so maybe some of his behavior is related to his disability.
It made me take a step back and look at myself and some of my actions. I have learned that even in the 21st century, our society still has issues with discrimination, prejudice and/or stereotypes.
Lori,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great example of microaggessions. If I were in your shoes, I would have found it hard to step up and say anything to this teacher, but I would have pulled the student aside and encouraged him. Our culture today has this idea that we should raise boys to become men at a young age, and people forget that they have feelings to. Thanks for sharing.
It is sad to see that we still have professionals in the field of education, that still tend to make these type of comments that not only are racial and harmful for the child to hear, but they also leave scars that are difficult to erase.Scars that affect the childs self-esteeem, integrity and perception of himself.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori,
ReplyDeleteSometimes people can mean well with poor teaching techniques. Knowing what is harmful or helpful for the African American male is daily lesson not a passing admonishment.
Hi Lori - This story makes me think that prejudice is not only learned at home but maybe by well meaning teachers as well. That child may be very young but may still be able to understand the negative comment that teacher made and that could affect him deeply.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori,
ReplyDeleteAfter learning of micoragressions on this week such injustices to the young child makes you want to defend the child. Also, after the video by Dr. Sue it makes us very aware of these aggression and also a since of responsibility to share the information with other colleagues. Just reading your post I felt saddened for the young child. Because often I wonder will this child be afforded the same opportunity as others will someone reach out to him?
You are so right about remembering these issues and microagression in age-appropriate ways. What a shocking attitude for the other teacher. I hope it went in one ear and out the other for him, but as we learned this week, it does go inside for the receivers.
ReplyDelete