Well, the microaggression that I witnessed was
committed by myself. It has happened nearly every month for the past couple of
months. Not until this week did I consciously understand what I have been doing
to one of my parents. Each month I have one mother who always asks for a
monthly newsletter. She always claims that I did not give her a newsletter when
I know that I have. Normally when this mother approaches me about the newsletter
I always blink my eyes in disbelief. I have discovered that my actions are a
form of micoraggression. I am not only insulting this mother but I am
disrespecting this mother as a parent.
When I learned that I was committing
microaggression, I felt absolutely horrible. The mother has a learning
disability and she has never stated that I have offended her but I know she
must have felt offended one time or another. I now understand that I did not
respond in a professional manner and it was not a good reflection of the agency
that I work for.
My witnessing the microaggression has encouraged me
to be mindful of the rights of others especially parents. It is my responsibility
to help this mother whether she is able or not able to keep up with certain
classroom paperwork. This experience has made me re-evaluate more closely about
how my interactions are with my parents. I immediately did a self-evaluation and
discovered that there is room for improvement. Microaggression is so similar to
discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping. It’s in the form of treating an
individual differently based on their ability, sex, color, and/or religion.
Cotati
Cotati,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree micro aggression is similar to discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping. I have learned to be more aware of people action and reaction toward others.
Darrell Sallam
Hi Cotati,
ReplyDeleteI, too, have done my share of microaggressions, and am very thankful for the awareness I now have!
It sounds like this mom might have a hard time keeping up with all of the paperwork she gets. Even though we are an electronic society in many ways, there is still a lot of paper.
I give out things like Head Start applications at this time of year (when parents are applying for a spot in the fall), and some families end up getting two or three applications because they misplace them so ask for another next time I see them. I have learned to carry a stack of all kinds of papers and forms with me on home visits so I can just pass them out as needed. It helps me to have extras - it saves me time to just be prepared. I am sure you have already figured out to have a few extras on hand for this mom.
We also offer families bright red folders in which they can keep their papers from us. Sometimes that really helps and, because the folders are bright, they can be easier to keep track of in a busy household! But sometimes they lose the folders. I have found there is not one solution that works for every family when it comes to keeping track of paperwork and forms. It is a common problem, and I think it is frustrating for parents, because there is a lot of paper, and it can be frustrating for us, too.
A good thing is that she wants your newsletter! I think it is great you do a newsletter each month for your families.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Carol
Hi Cotati, Enjoyed your post .I can understand how horrible you felt when you realized you were committing microaggression. At church this sunday morning I was speaking to one of the young teenage parents that approached me before about childcare. She told me that she no longer needed childcare because she was moving into Wilson Commencent. This is a facility that has apartments for young mothers and it has on site child care. My response was that place does a lot for you people. I caught my self once I made the statement the way I did. I did not mean for it to be hurtful. I wrote in my blog people will be people. I also wrote if people do not inflict injustice to our fellow man this world would be a better place. It really amazes me that what you say comes back to you so quickly. I was truly happy for her. I should of just thought and worded it a different way. I do plan on apologizing. Thank You for sharing and making me think.
ReplyDeleteCotati, I have been on both the receiving end as well as the giving end of microaggression. Some, i was totally unaware of, while other time, it was for sure considered a microinsult and even microinvalidation. At least you know now and admit there is room for improvement. Being willing to admit you were wrong is a major step, for a lot of individuals never want to be wrong. Good observation.
ReplyDelete