Microaggressions

Throughout my studies this week my eyes have definitely opened to microaggressions that I have either experienced or witnessed throughout my lifetime. One in particular that still bothers me to this day was an experience with a former Hispanic parent during my tenure as a Parent Liaison. The parent was excluded from running for a PTA officer position just because she did not speak English fluently. The administration felt that she would have a hard time communicating with others and immediately diminished her from running. She felt sad and embarrassed, even expressing to me that she frequently felt discounted or less intelligent because of her English. I felt so bad for the parent that I ended up collaborating with her to create a group for Hispanic parents within the PTA. These parents served other Hispanics throughout the school and community to assist with inclusion efforts and expanding cultural partnerships in the school. The parents had awesome ideas for events and workshops for Hispanic parents and families. They worked closely with the PTA for every event and provided translators. In the end, the administration supported these efforts and eventually became more welcoming to Hispanics and their families. This was important because the school population was composed of mostly Hispanics.

With the information I have retained this week, I now know that microaggressions are their own sector of prejudice and can be either intentional or unintentional. In the end, hate is hate, and causing anyone to feel uncomfortable because of who they are is unjust and inhumane.