Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week I have heard several micro-aggressions. I had my church friends over last night for bunco. Some ladies were signing (being silly) and the song said "gay" in it. One of the ladies mentioned that, “We can no longer use the word gay." Another person replied, "Unless you are wearing pointed shoes and flipped her hand down." I thought the comment was inappropriate and a micro-assault.

The second micro-aggression I heard was while we were changing tables at bunco. A lady said, "where did you get this card table and chairs I think they were made for Asian people they are so little?" Again the comments were insulting.

The third micro-aggression was today from a college student. She was talking about her sister’s basketball game and made the comment about the black girl on the team being really black. I called her out on it and she said, "What I was not being rude I like, it is cool."  

The words of the ladies did not make me mad but I was taken back. I know these ladies and for the most part they are kind, loving people however they are obviously greatly unaware of the effects of their words. I knew I could approach them on the subject of micro-aggressions. I pointed out how their words are a form of racism. It ended up being great conversation. I think they learned a little and I felt good telling them what I have learned. This exercise helped me and others understand how easy it is for us to ignore or unintentionally insult people different then we are