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 Microaggression
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Microaggression is the idea that specific interactions between those of different races, cultures, or genders can be interpreted as non-physical aggression. The term was first coined by American psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce[1] and described as, "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 other races."
Microagression usually involves demeaning implications and other subtle insults against minorities, and may be perpetuated against those due to gender, sexual orientation, and ability status.[2][3][4] According to Pierce, “the chief vehicle for proracist behaviors are microaggressions. These are subtle, stunning, often automatic, and nonverbal exchanges which are ‘put-downs’ of blacks by offenders”.[5] Microaggressions may also play a role in unfairness in the legal system as they can influence the decisions of juries.[6]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microaggression
http://microaggressions.com/
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http://www.nhpr.org/post/microaggressions-exposed
As an example: A physically disabled friend who was in a wheel chair for years and has recently been able to walk with crutches described to me that many people convey a sense of condescension toward a person in a wheelchair, beyond the literal fact that they are “looking down upon” them.
She told me about a friend who did not want to speak out at meetings as an advocate for disabled people because she felt that, from a wheelchair, she would be unable to project a “commanding presence.”
In the “Word of Mouth” program, Ms. Lu describes how people often do not even know that they are making derogatory remarks, and Dr. Nadal mentioned studies which show that these “subtle” daily insults often lead to depression, anxiety, and low-self-esteem.
Unlike overt prejudice, the daily "sub-threshold" insults can leave the person hearing them confused, unsure of how to react, and the result can be extra stress.
They discussed the idea that raising the issue microagressions may be vulnerable to accusations of “politic correctness;” and that awareness of microagressions can become over-sensitivity in which someone’s interpretation of events causes them to see microaggressions everywhere.
Here is another example of dealing with a microaggression from my own life:
A number of years ago, as a Realtor I was representing a couple who were looking for a property suitable for keeping a few horses. One member of this couple was a 76 year old gentleman, let’s call him “Ralph.”
The late Frank Martocci was showing us a property in Hinsdale and telling us about it. Frank was explaining that there was a fire a few years back, and that the owner had rebuilt the house better than before the fire using the insurance money.
“Oh, Jewish lightning!” said Ralph, looking proud to have said something so clever. I had never heard that expression before, but I “got it.” I hesitated for a second, not wanting friction with a client, but decided that I had to say something.
In a quiet voice so that only Ralph could hear me I said: “I’m Jewish.”
Ralph was mortified... I mean really mortified. He could not stop apologizing and trying to explain that he did not mean to slur anyone. He was relocating from rural area where Jews are not part of his world and I am convinced that he was just using an expression without thinking of actual Jewish people any more than someone might be thinking of Rom people when they use the expression “gyp.”
Eventually we found a nice house on some acreage (in Springfield Vermont) which included a barn with three stalls, at an affordable price. Ralph was delighted as he did not want to buy hay, even if it might have been more cost- effective: He wanted to ride his own tractor over his own field; growing and harvesting his own hay.
About 6 months after Ralph and his wife closed on the property, I was in Springfield and came by to visit. Ralph was alone as his wife was at work. I felt embarrassed because even though time had gone by and I has assured Ralph that it is past and done with and of no effect: He was still ashamed of the remark he had made, and kept apologizing.
I felt really badly about that, and still do. Sometimes I wonder whether I could have just overlooked that remark. My reaction to the remark was in no way strident, but when I think of how terrible Ralph felt, it is hard not to regret having said anything.