Racial Microaggressions is something I experience on a daily basis from family members and African Americans regularly. I don’t understand where it comes from, but my father-in-law loves to call his wife and I a Mexican. It bothers me but he insists on doing so. He continues to show brief everyday indignities that can, “often cause severe psychological stress and harm” (Laureate Education, 2011) not only to me but my children. Upon asking my husband for an explanation of his father’s actions he stated, “Anyone who is African American, light-skinned with straight hair in his eyes they are Mexican” Can I not just be an African American who is light-skinned with straight hair? Inverting Racism’s Distortions states, “No one is born racist. Racism is taught. Through both expUcit and impUcit messages, society teaches ideas, attitudes, and assumptions about race that are not true” (Margles, S., & Margles, R.M, 2010). How am I to address this? I correct him every time he says, “Hey, my Mexican daughter-in-law! Do you see your Mexican mother-in-law walking slowing? Please tell her to hurry up!”
I’ve read numerous ways this can be corrected and even took the skin-tone IAT test. I always find myself being placed in other ethnic backgrounds, but I prefer to be identified as an African American. A question on the test was asked, “How would you prefer your skin tone to be?” (IAT Corp., 2011). I answered, “I prefer it to remain the same” (IAT Corp., 2011). Now was that a bad thing? I was always taught to love yourself because if you don’t love yourself no one else will. I was also asked, “What do you consider your skin tone to be?” (IAT Corp., 2011). I didn’t have an answer for that because I see myself as Black not dark or white, so I wish Black was an option.
Today we are living in a time where unjust treatment is present. This is something known to the African American community for generations. The death of George Floyd gave insight to other ethnicities of what African American men/women go through on a daily basis. “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are” (Benjamin Franklin, n.d.). I think this is the straw that broke the camel’s back, and all are now unaccepting of microaggressions. It, “Reflects views of inferiority/superiority and inclusions/exclusions” (Laureate Education, 2011).
My experiences are still the same with no change to how I felt previously. Discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes of people are still seen as African Americans being inferior to White Americans. If you can pass as being another ethnicity it’s encouraged. I pose a question to all my readers; do you ever think equality for all can be accomplished?
References
“A Quote by Benjamin Franklin.” Goodreads, Goodreads, n.d., www.goodreads.com/quotes/49575-justice-will-not-be-served-until-those-who-are-unaffected
IAT Corp, 2011. Project implicit.
Laureate Education, 2011. Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file].
Margles, S., & Margles, R.M. (2010). Inverting racism’s distortions. Our Schools/Ourselves, 19(3), 137-149.
Lewanda,
ReplyDeleteThat is a great question. Though it is hard to see change I am praying that one day we see equality. The outrage that the world is facing today should have never gotten to this point. I pray for my children's children.
I apologize for your father in law. Does he know that it makes you uncomfortable? If not, he should be told. It might not change but at least you have voiced how you feel. I think a lot of times when the older generation makes comments it is brushed off due to age, but it still does not make it ok. He may be joking, however he can really be causing psychological stress and harm, like you stated above.
Hello Tamekia,
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct. My children ask, "Mommy, why does Papa call you that?" I always respond and say, "Because he doesn't know better unfortunately but thank God you do!" I did tell him how it made me feel but I truly think he thinks he's just playing. I pray one day he will give credit to our Black ethnicity for beauty!