Spending this week listening for microaggressions made me
very aware of how often these offenses take place in an educational
environment.
The first example took place as I entered the mobile infant
classroom at the center where I work. The children were in their seats at the feeding
table for morning snack and a teacher was heating up a meal. As she removed it
from the microwave she stated “This is disgusting!” I consider this a microaggression because it
is an attack on that child’s family culture. This food, regardless of her
opinion is what was prepared by his parents. Even though the children in this
room are very young, her tone, facial expression and body language spoke
volumes, even if they do not understand the word. I spoke to her about how I
felt it was inappropriate and her reply was that she meant it was just too
thick. I explained that in a much different tone of voice that is what she
should have said.
My second example is a microaggression regarding able-ism. I
have shared in the past that my son has a learning disability and an IEP.
Earlier this week he was given a quarterly exam that included only questions
that tested specifically what is IEP states he should receive accommodations
for and none were made. Needless to say he did poorly. Through email and phone conversations with
his teacher I have come to find out that she was unaware of this
accommodation all year and now was unsure how to interpret what his IEP says.
As a fellow educator I am outraged that a teacher can have a student in their
class since August and not have taken the time to actually understand his
needs. As a parent, I am upset with myself for not being on top of this all
year.
My observation experience this week reinforces what Dr. Sue
stated in this week’s video, Microaggressions
in Everyday Life, that unintentional microaggressions are the most dangerous
and educators can do the great harm. I
will be more aware of the comments I make in my classroom. I see the effect of
this teacher’s lack of understanding on my son and can imagine the same for the
boy at my center if he were to hear comments about his meals on a daily basis.
Resource
Michele,
ReplyDeleteYou gave us a great example of a microaggression that would more than likely be over looked had we not been looking for it. I hear people make comments all of the time in reference to food not thinking that the dish could be from someone's culture. I also think that way with music. I get really defensive when people make fun of traditional Irish music because that is what I grew up listening to and I love it.