Micro aggressions are brief everyday indignities which can be verbal, behavioral or environmental. They are communicated intentionally or unintentionally. They contains an insulting message and can reflect views of inferiority or superiority and inclusion or exclusion. They often cause severe psychological stress and harm (Laureate Education, Inc. 2011).
My personal experience regarding micro aggression is related to the gender based discrimination which I sensed for example when my mother would tell us, her daughters to make our older brother’s bed.
Another example of micro aggression which is not easily detectable is the learning environment of my country Rwanda, both formal and informal. It has too many rules which inhibit personal initiative and creativity in children. In addition, given that the method of education is more instructive than interactive, children are not able to feel confident about themselves and their abilities. The hidden message being do not express yourself, just assimilate. But there is a new curricula which I think is different and values the children's participation and views.
From these examples, one can understand how micro aggression is transferred from one generation to another if people are not sensitized.
Reference
Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
My personal experience regarding micro aggression is related to the gender based discrimination which I sensed for example when my mother would tell us, her daughters to make our older brother’s bed.
Another example of micro aggression which is not easily detectable is the learning environment of my country Rwanda, both formal and informal. It has too many rules which inhibit personal initiative and creativity in children. In addition, given that the method of education is more instructive than interactive, children are not able to feel confident about themselves and their abilities. The hidden message being do not express yourself, just assimilate. But there is a new curricula which I think is different and values the children's participation and views.
From these examples, one can understand how micro aggression is transferred from one generation to another if people are not sensitized.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Hi Marlene,
ReplyDeleteIt must have difficult knowing that you were not seen as equal to your brother. Unfortunately women are seen as inferior in many countries and under some religions. One of the biggest reasons they use as justification for treating women this way is that “God” made woman from man. During my travels in the military I witnessed how they treat women in certain countries. Women were made to walk behind men and not allowed to talk or join in conversations unless they were invited to join.
Anita