I was trying to think of a good example where I was the victim in some type of bias which I am sure there are many. However, this week I experienced something that I am not very proud of. I showed gender microaggression one day this week, and I knew it the minute it came out of my mouth. I was picking my son up at preschool at our church in my hometown. There happened to be a lot going on at the church that morning, so I was hanging around talking with different people. As my son and I got on the elevator to head downstairs, an older lady entered carrying a sewing machine. She started talking about the sewing class she was taking. Well, I commented that I had bought a sewing machine last Christmas, but I have no idea how to sew. I told her that I would love to learn how and asked if there was room in the class she was taking. She told me to head back upstairs and talk with Chris/Kris. I responded that I would love to go up to talk with her. Well, this is where I assumed that the Chris/Kris was a female because we were talking about sewing. I made an assumption based on a stereotype and felt horrible. I could tell the lady was shocked that I assumed it was a woman, and she corrected me very quickly.
Needless to say, I felt so badly and knew the minute I said it that I did exactly what we have been talking about in this class. I was thankful that I now notice right away when I show prejudice or bias against someone else. This class has opened my eyes to the ways in which we show biases and don't even know it.
I diminished equity in this example by assuming that women are the only people who enjoy or know how to sew. In order to give this example greater opportunity for equity, I must do away with my own personal bias when it comes to gender assumptions. I must realize that all people have the same opportunities no matter what their gender. Like I said, I am not proud that I said that and was quite ashamed of myself. However, I immediately recognized what I had experienced and corrected my own thinking.
Tabitha, I have learned a great deal in this class also and have caught my self in many occasions using microaggression toward someone. Once I think about what was said, I too immediately apologize for the assumption. It is a challenged to change the way we speak to each other.Great Post.
ReplyDeleteTabitha,
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of an instance that happened in my school this past week. Sometimes the older children use our Nursery Class (3 year olds) restrooms if they are in that part of the school, and one of the Year Four boys came in to my classroom to tell me that one of the nursery girls was in the boys restroom. I glanced out the door and noticed that my Indian boy student with long hair was in the restroom. I corrected the Year Four student and told him that the nursery student is a boy, he has long hair. The Year Four student was very shocked and immediately went to gossip with his friends about it, but they were not as shocked as they have been in the school longer and around the religious groups that grow their hair long for short periods of time, and permanently.
I think once you go through an experience of micro-aggression whether it be intentional or unintentional, and then realize the negative impacts it makes, a person will be more conscious about their interactions in the future. Sometimes we have to make mistakes to learn.
Tabitha,
ReplyDeleteYou put a smile on my face by sharing your experience. We all make mistakes and what matters is learning from our mistakes. What we gained from this course is that we notice these common mistakes faster than we used to be. Knowledge is power and for sure we have gained the knowledge.
Thank you for sharing.
It is getting harder to judge by name whether someone is a male or female. I once judged someone based on their name and was grossly mistaken! It is easy to do but embarrassing all the same. Recognition is the first step in correction. Thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDelete