Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

           After observing and listening to people talk this week I was surprised to find many microaggressions that occur every day in our lives. One of the ones that I get all the time is when I am making medical appointments over the phone in the military system they always say” what is your sponsor's social security number.”. I always say “ I am the sponsor.” I think to myself why do they always ask me for my sponsor …. .not all military retirees are men…. .

One microaggression that stuck with me this week had to do with hair.  I was at a gathering this week where they were selling beauty, hair,  and skin products. There were several women there of different ethnicities.  A young black woman was sitting in the group with us, and she had some pretty thick braids. One of the women asked her "is that your real hair." When I heard the woman ask this question, the first thing I thought to myself is why does everyone think that just because a black women has long hair that it is a weave or not real. I always hear comments about how black women are wearing their hair in today’s society. I didn't know the word “microaggression” or its meaning until this week, so I didn't think twice about it at the time. It brought to my mind another situation that happened. A few weeks ago I remembered a person asking another if a person’s appearance was “professional” and now I automatically know she was talking about her hair because the woman had dreadlocks.   If black women wear their hair in a naturally, they are often chastised about it looking unprofessional or unkempt.

Discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping people can create feelings of shame, anger, and sadness in victims. Everyone harbors some form of prejudice and discrimination whether it is intentional or unintentional. It’s when you act of on those feeling when the trouble begins.  Respect others and treat them the way you would want to be treated.