Sunday, February 4, 2018
Practicing awareness of Microaggressions
There was a microaggression I saw happen this week and it was one that happened with two families. I was sitting in the classroom and I heard some yelling so i went in the hall. I looked down the hall and two mothers were arguing. I heard one mother say " How do you know my child is bi-racial? You don't know if I am Hispanic and you don't know her father." The other one replied " Well it looks like he is because his eyes are slanted." I just went back in the classroom and told my co-workers about it. One thing I noticed was the Mother was being racist but she sent a hidden message with "His eyes are slanted." I was so embarrased at the fact she said it in front of the child and I know the parent wanted to lash out more but there was too many people present. Discrimination and prejudice can hurt other's feelings and it causes damage to the children in the future. Some children who have experienced prejudice or discrimination sometimes lack in social skills and lack of confidence.
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Hello,
ReplyDeleteIn your post you stated that microaggression can have damage to a child's future. You are absolutely correct, I can only imagine how that child felt when he heard the parent's comments. As educators we have to be sensitive to families and hings that may hurt them. However, we must also teach the children and parents that we serve to be equally sensitive also.
I think it is so sad to hear that parents are arguing this way in front of the children. When children are present for these things you are right they can be affected in the future and some may think it is okay to treat others that way. I hope the children who were present for this fight were not affected and are not present for anymore encounters like this. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
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