Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

One example of microaggression actually happened to my husband. His coworker was talking about immigrants and how they should not be allowed to enter our country and become US citizens. He did not just mean illegal immigrants but all immigrants in general.. His coworker is aware that I was born and raised in Germany and became a citizen just a little over a year ago. My husband just look at him and asked him: "Are you serious?" His coworker did not understand why he was getting upset. My husband then told him that I, his wife, was an immigrant and that most of this country was based upon immigration. His coworker was quiet embarrassed about his statement.
I know and like my husbands coworker and think that in general, he is a good person. When he talked with my husband, I don't think he realized how offensive his comment actually was. My husband told me the story and I was quiet shocked at first but I was relieved that my husband defended me.

In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people.

My experience with microaggression made me aware of how many times people speak before they think. I am quiet certain that my husbands coworker never intended to insult me. Because he knows me and my English is so well, many people seem to forget that I was not born in the US. However, this comment was still hurtful to my husband and me. My observation made me aware of how many times, I may have done the same to others without realizing the harmfulness of some of my comments. I believe we all have a tendency to stereotype others without meaning to. Yet, if we are aware of our biases and the way we stereotype other, we can make sure to improve on it in future conversations.