Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Each day that I venture into the world I am faced with microaggression from a variety of unexpected places and people. Microaggressions are typically defined as subtle snubs, slights, and insults directed toward minorities, as well as to women and other historically stigmatized groups, that implicitly communicate or at least engender hostility.  Most recently, I was in the beauty supply store and another female came to me and touched my hair and said my hair was very urban and she could never get away with wearing her hair like “you”.  I asked her not to touch my hair.  It was presumptuous and a violation of my personal space.  I felt that her comment was microinsulting and trying to use a compliment to insult me.  I did not know what I wanted to say all I know is that I was angry and insulted.  I wanted to yell and curse at the lady and tell her how inappropriate she was behaving, however what I chose to do is say, “Please do not touch my hair” and I thanked her for her compliment and went to the counter.  I really was aggravated that I continually have to deal with this behavior. It seems everywhere I turn, people within the dominant culture use microaggressions in their communications with me.  It makes me not want to interact at all.  I really feel that after the course text this week and additional reading by Dr. Derald Sue, I am more aware when I have microaggressions in my interactions.  I am also more aware of my own word choice and microaggression.  When you know better you do better.  I would suggest anyone and everyone to read a book by Dr. Sue titled Race talk and the Conspiracy of Silence.  Understanding and facilitating difficult dialogues on race.  It is a very informative read.