Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

         Unfortunately, as a black woman, I am subjected to microaggressions not only from those of different ethnicities but also gender as well. The most recent significant microaggression I suffered was when I took my son to a neurologist a few weeks ago. My son has been followed by several specialists since birth because of his diagnosis of Autism and CP and moving to a new state, I wanted to establish with one here. As I began to divulge information about his very extensive history of therapists and specialists, I was interrupted by the doctor on several occasions to compliment me on how articulate I was, to which I did not respond. The final interruption came in the form of a question when he asked me if I was a doctor. When I told him I was not, he then asked what exactly I did for a living. I told him that I was currently an at home mom who advocates for her children and again came another compliment that I was so knowledgeable and well versed, which again, I took offense to but did not express what I now can identify as a microinsult. His hidden message in my opinion was that black people are not intelligent and don't speak well. I also felt slighted as a woman and I think simply because he was male, I believe though, he could tell from my tone and facial expression that I was offended, seemed a bit confused as to why since he was showering me with accolades. 

         As I think back on the numerous microaggressions I am subjected to, the most common one is the way I speak.  I've been told so many times, not only from white people but black as well that I don't "sound black." What the hell does that mean?? How are "black" people supposed to sound or talk? I respond by telling them I speak "correctly" and that it's not a racial language, it's plain grammar! I feel it is degrading to my ethnicity and heritage to think I am supposed to Not be able to speak or know how to behave properly. I come from a long line of highly educated well versed people that include doctors, engineers, government officials, lawyers, journalists, musicians, and more. For people to assume a race of people lacks the capacity to aspire to operate on their "level" is microinvalidation in its highest form and unfortunately, this happens more times than not and worse yet, the offenders are totally unaware of their aggressions, which Dr. Sue explains is the most damaging.

         How I wish everyone could see or hear his video but then again, I am sure many will doubt what he is saying applies to them; yet another form of microinvalidation. 

Therefore I continue to exist in the realm of catch 22. 

Reference

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu