"So, like, is it real this time?" a classmate asked me.
Confused, I tried to think of who and what the hell she was talking about. Then, just when I had begun to realize who and what the hell she was talking about--
"Your hair. Its fake right?"
"well is yours?" I replied
"Chill, I was just asking!" she responded, as if I had attacked her curiosity.
This, ladies and gents, is an example of microaggressions. A microaggression can basically be translated to unintended discrimination. Microaggressions come in different forms and each one pertains to an individual attribute. So this means a microaggression can be related to a specific race, sex or gender or religion.
As a straight black christian female, it is indisputable that I experience racial and religious microaggressions on a daily basis. Quite often these microaggressions are similar. This is due to the fact that they usually have to do with ,obviously, my race and the attributes that are accompanied by it, like my hair or, my Seventh Day Adventism.
Before I knew what a microaggression were, I used to just brush them off. After I became "woke",I have since realized that letting them go reinforces the behavior, almost making them acceptable. Once the behavior becomes reinforced, these questions start to become intentionally discriminatory and are easily covered up as curiosity. Basically, if you do not respond to these microaggressions appropriately by brushing them off, they actually turn into racist and stereotypical assumptions . This is why I have compiled a list of my top 3 favourite microgressions and how to appropriately and assertively respond to them, rather than passively respond to them. So without further ado, here are my top Favourite microaggressions!
1.You're so smart for a black person!
"Wow Natalie! You used so many big words in your essay! Like, I don't even know what that word means! You're literally the smartest black person I've ever met!"- Classmate, last week
I always LOL at this one. This is called an ascription of intelligence. You may not think this is racist, but it most definitely is, which is why it is a microagression. Within these few sentence, you have just shown me that you don't think black people are capable of utilizing sesquipedals. You've also proven to me that for a black person to be intelligent comes as a complete and utter shock to you. But all the while, you're completely unaware of the flaws within your compliment.
My Response
"Me being black has absolutely nothing to do with being smart or capability to use big words. why do you feel the need to measure my intelligence,not by my merit, but by my race? Bye!"
2. I'm not a racist, I have black friends/ Relatives
"Ahaha, Natalie its ok, you know I'm not racist! My uncles black!"-Classmate, last Tuesday
Usually, prior to saying this, the person would've said something offensive, such as racist joke or even worse, the n-word. This is called denial of individual racism. You are basically saying that you're immune to the disease of racism because you have been "vaccinated" by your relationships within that specific minority. So, instead of your comment helping your case, it is doing the complete opposite.
My Response
Your black uncle is completely irrelevant and you using him as a shield to your comments is quite offence. what is relevant however, is the fact that you feel like it was acceptable for you to say that, well aware of its offensive content. And, frankly, I wouldn't mind knowing what your uncle would think about what you just said. Bye! close relative, 2 weeks ago
3.Theres only one race, the human race
"At the end of the day we're all humans, so were basically all at the same level, right?" - Friend, 2 weeks ago
Confused, I tried to think of who and what the hell she was talking about. Then, just when I had begun to realize who and what the hell she was talking about--
"Your hair. Its fake right?"
"well is yours?" I replied
"Chill, I was just asking!" she responded, as if I had attacked her curiosity.
This, ladies and gents, is an example of microaggressions. A microaggression can basically be translated to unintended discrimination. Microaggressions come in different forms and each one pertains to an individual attribute. So this means a microaggression can be related to a specific race, sex or gender or religion.
As a straight black christian female, it is indisputable that I experience racial and religious microaggressions on a daily basis. Quite often these microaggressions are similar. This is due to the fact that they usually have to do with ,obviously, my race and the attributes that are accompanied by it, like my hair or, my Seventh Day Adventism.
Before I knew what a microaggression were, I used to just brush them off. After I became "woke",I have since realized that letting them go reinforces the behavior, almost making them acceptable. Once the behavior becomes reinforced, these questions start to become intentionally discriminatory and are easily covered up as curiosity. Basically, if you do not respond to these microaggressions appropriately by brushing them off, they actually turn into racist and stereotypical assumptions . This is why I have compiled a list of my top 3 favourite microgressions and how to appropriately and assertively respond to them, rather than passively respond to them. So without further ado, here are my top Favourite microaggressions!
1.You're so smart for a black person!
"Wow Natalie! You used so many big words in your essay! Like, I don't even know what that word means! You're literally the smartest black person I've ever met!"- Classmate, last week
I always LOL at this one. This is called an ascription of intelligence. You may not think this is racist, but it most definitely is, which is why it is a microagression. Within these few sentence, you have just shown me that you don't think black people are capable of utilizing sesquipedals. You've also proven to me that for a black person to be intelligent comes as a complete and utter shock to you. But all the while, you're completely unaware of the flaws within your compliment.
My Response
"Me being black has absolutely nothing to do with being smart or capability to use big words. why do you feel the need to measure my intelligence,not by my merit, but by my race? Bye!"
2. I'm not a racist, I have black friends/ Relatives
"Ahaha, Natalie its ok, you know I'm not racist! My uncles black!"-Classmate, last Tuesday
Usually, prior to saying this, the person would've said something offensive, such as racist joke or even worse, the n-word. This is called denial of individual racism. You are basically saying that you're immune to the disease of racism because you have been "vaccinated" by your relationships within that specific minority. So, instead of your comment helping your case, it is doing the complete opposite.
My Response
Your black uncle is completely irrelevant and you using him as a shield to your comments is quite offence. what is relevant however, is the fact that you feel like it was acceptable for you to say that, well aware of its offensive content. And, frankly, I wouldn't mind knowing what your uncle would think about what you just said. Bye! close relative, 2 weeks ago
3.Theres only one race, the human race
"At the end of the day we're all humans, so were basically all at the same level, right?" - Friend, 2 weeks ago
This one...this one right here...ALWAYS gets me mad. We may all be humans but we certainly aren't equal! These kind of nonsense comments can be categorized as colour blind comments. These are the comments people say when they do not want to acknowledge race, usually because it makes them uncomfortable. This is particularly offensive because they deny the significance of the individuals ethnic experiences and history. Basically giving the message that all humans are the same.
My Response
Although it would be great if everyone believed and quite beneficial to society, the reality is not everyone thinks nor believes that. There are many different races, genders and cultures, which is why your statement is flawed. And your blindness to these minorities is not beneficial to anyone! Bye!
So thats all for now folks! Obviously, there are a bevy of other topics and microaggressive comments out there, but I just wanted to cover the basics. As you can see, I strongly beleive that it is crucial for people to respond to microaggressions appropriately and accordingly if we want our society to evolve. through properly addressing and responding to microaggressions, you are educating your fellow humans. As Carl Rogers said "The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn to change".
My Response
Although it would be great if everyone believed and quite beneficial to society, the reality is not everyone thinks nor believes that. There are many different races, genders and cultures, which is why your statement is flawed. And your blindness to these minorities is not beneficial to anyone! Bye!
So thats all for now folks! Obviously, there are a bevy of other topics and microaggressive comments out there, but I just wanted to cover the basics. As you can see, I strongly beleive that it is crucial for people to respond to microaggressions appropriately and accordingly if we want our society to evolve. through properly addressing and responding to microaggressions, you are educating your fellow humans. As Carl Rogers said "The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn to change".