Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions
This week’s blog asked to observe my own and other people’s verbal interactions and detect examples of microaggression. As I focused on observing others interactions it was my own interaction with a visitor who came to one of my centers requesting information on enrollment requirements for next year, first let me give you a run down on what was taking place the day of her visit. First of all we have been getting ready for our transition ceremony for my children who will be transitioning to kinder, so lots of painting for a backdrop we were making, second there was no school due to staff development day, and third we had been packing and cleaning for shutdown for summer months. So blue jeans , T-shirts and tennis shoes is what I asked staff to wear since it was going to be a crazy day of painting, cleaning, and packing. Now you have a vision of what our appearance was that day, so the women walked in, and I walked to her and asked if I could help her, she responded “Yes, I’d like to speak your supervisor on information about enrollment” I responded “Yes, that would be me, how can I help you?” she then responded “OH, you’re the director, I’m sorry I thought you were the custodian”. I quickly responded to her that we were closed today for the children, but it was staff development day for my teachers and me, so a lot of cleaning was being conducted, but I could help her with the information. I could see she was embarrassed for her response, so I gave her the information needed and wished her a great weekend. As I reflected on what has just happened it wasn’t clear to me if she thought I was the custodian because of the way I was dressed , and had cloths in my hand or if she was stereotyping me because I was Hispanic, but what I do know is that it was an example of unintentional microaggression. The woman was so apologetic, and really couldn’t look at me in the face after that, so I truly believe it was unintentional.
My observation made me realize many people may view people by appearance, and make assumptions of which they are by stereotyping people, but we as the observers need to be able to distinguish if it is intentional or unintentional.
Stacy D. Almendarez 