HI All-
The following is Part A of my SHINE Quest contribution. Please be aware of the following 2 things:
1. This narrative is a story that I consider an example of a “baby step” of growth and a mature
discourse featuring differing paradigms. In the contentious world in which we live, I consider
dialogue, listening and ANY “changing of a mind,” no matter how small, to be a triumph.
2. I am a Canva novice. I have provided a couple different ways to interact with my multimedia
piece.
I come from a white, working-class family and oftentimes my views differ from that of my extended family. Over the summer of 2021, a few members of my family were lamenting the prevalence of “political correctness” and the general discontent they feel when being “called out” for their ignorance of appropriate terms or ways to approach situations which may come up in diverse settings. I agreed with them that getting “called out” is never fun for anyone, but I pushed them to consider what it might be like have others label you with a term you do not care for. This is not an experience that a lot of white folks have when it comes to race, but people of all races are unwilling labeled according to the pre-conceived notions of others. Being judged, classified, or inaccurately categorized by others is rarely an enjoyable experience for anyone. I explained that I do not enjoy when people call me “big boned” or make comments about my stature or weight, and that they may not want to be labeled or identified by a single part of their identity or assumptions based on the way they look. The group agreed that they do not like being judged but wanted to bring the discussion back to how they were being put upon by “political correctness.” I challenged them again, and said, “So its OK that you offend others by saying certain things, but its not Ok when others offend you?” The conversation got a little ugly for a bit, but we eventually landed on the concept of “microaggressions.” I explained the concept of microaggressions to an audience of eye-rollers with whom I share blood. For an academic explanation, I will quote Sue, Capodilupo, Torino, Bucceri, Holder, Nadal, & Esquilin (2007):
Racial microaggressions are brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental
indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or
negative racial slights and insults toward people of color. Perpetrators of microaggressions
are often unaware that they engage in such communications when they interact with
racial/ethnic minorities. (p. 271)
I implored them to recognize that it does not matter whether or not they intended their comment, word choices or misconceptions to be offensive or make the recipient feel unsafe, what matters is how their interaction was received or perceived. After a bit more discussion, I am proud to say that I was able to help this group realize the value of recognizing how their words may hurt others, even if this pain they caused was not intentional.
1. Please click the following to view my piece in a new tab: https://tinyurl.com/ywusvjhr
2. Please click the following to view the Microagressions (clean) video through YouTube.
I embedded it in Canva, but I wanted to provide an easier way to view the video.
I ask forgiveness for the misspelling of the word “microaggressions” in the title.
The original version of this video featured some profane language, so I chose to
use the clean version which was available.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ9l7y4UuxY
3. Please see the MP4 file I uploaded below:
Thank you for this opportunity to share!
Angela
References
Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., Torino, G. C., Bucceri, J. M., Holder, K. L, Nadal, K. L. & Esquilin, M. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for clinical practice. American Psychologist. 62(4). 271-286. DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.62.4.271TheTeacherColeman. (TheTeacherColeman). (2018, January 22). Microaggressions (clean) [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ9l7y4UuxYUW Medicine. (2019, September 3). What Microaggressions are and how to prevent them. Uwmadison.org. https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/life/relationships/microaggressions
Angela,
Thank you for sharing your story. I think it was probably difficult to broach this topic with your family and I think it is great that you were able to help them make the connection between being "put upon by political correctness" and not saying things that cause harm to others. My grandfather was "plain spoken" and as I got older I realized that some of the things he said were not appropriate, especially towards some of the friends we would bring to the house. The kids in my generation of the family would call him out for it but some of the older adults would write it off as just the way he was. We did feel like he started to see that he needed to adjust his viewpoint and realize the hurt his words could have. Did your conversation stick with them or did they fall back into habit?
I loved the mosquito bite video, it is a very creative way to explain how the constant irritation of being the subject of these microaggressions build to have a serious impact. Your graphic was eye-catching and easy to read.