Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Over the course of this week I learned about microaggressions and I am guilty of having done this as well as been a victim of it.  I have also witnessed my friends and colleagues use microaggressive behaviors.  Just this week an early childcare operator who I am working with stated that she did not want to deal with a specific parent because she is young and feels like she is getting over on her when it comes to child care services.  As Dr. Sue pointed out in this week’s webcast, “The perpetrator of a microaggression experience themselves as good, moral, decent individuals. And that makes it very difficult for them to understand that, in some way, they have made a statement, engaged in a behavior that has been offensive and reveals some bias or stereotyping on their part.” (Laureate, 2011)   While I think that the childcare operator meant no real harm she is stereotyping this parent because she is a young girl and views her as someone irresponsible.  While this mother provides everything that is stated her child needs while in care, has a job, and takes care of her child to the best her ability the operator still finds fault in the parent. 

As an early childcare professional and being in the business for over 25 years I have learned to work with people and to develop a working relationship with families and other professionals that is understanding and supportive.  While this is the operator’s first sole child care business, she is very new in the art of building workable relationships.  After she made her comments on the young parent, I asked her why did she chose to get in to child care and what made her open up a child care business?  Her response was not what I thought it would be.  I was looking for her to say because I love/like children.  She said that she wanted to own her own business and not work for someone else anymore as well as have something her children to take over.  After me looking at her for a moment in silence I had to say that you have gotten into this business for the wrong reasons.  But now that you have you have to build bridges with your families and the community you serve that is workable and“…there has to be a sense of interconnectedness with all of humanity.” (Laureate, 2011)  As a child care operator you have to be empathic to your parent’s needs and having the position of “…we have to view leadership as supportive of intergroup harmony and intergroup relationships, free of bias and stereotyping.” (Laureate, 2011) 

This week I have saw that I need to treat people the way in which I wish to be treated.  I have learned that it is not just what is said but what is unsaid that could present a discriminatory, prejudice, or stereotypic view.  I try to teach my personal and early learning children both to not judge people but to get to know a person.  But I do realize that this is a difficult task due to “cultural conditioning processes is that none of us are immune from inheriting the racial biases of our forebears.” (Laureate, 2011) But I believe that if we teach a better generation then the last these things can be overcome.  “I think if you look at the democratic ideals of this society, what you see is that we all believe in inclusion, in respect, in equal access and opportunities.” (Laureate, 2011)

 

 

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer).  (2011). Microaggressions in Everyday Life. 

[Webcast].  Baltimore, MD: Author.