Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

• Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression? One microaggression that I have experienced was religionism. I remember growing up being mocked or picked at for being a Christian. People would either call me a goody two shoes or assume I did not do certain things are simply sneer at me for being a Christian. On both sides of my family different family members have made comments about my family being Christians. It has become frustrating and discouraging throughout my life having these things said to me. More than anything it has made me question myself. Growing up I had a lot of confidence in who I was and what I believed. But with every person who would make a comment in my direction about my religion or make a statement about something I believe I would become a little less confident about it. As much as I would like to believe that people do not influence who I am, it is next to impossible to completely 100% ignore everything that others say to us. I have matured and not let what others say bother me as much, but it does not make it any less hurtful every time someone says something to me about being a Christian. 

• In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people: I have learned a lot about microaggressions this week through the readings and the resources. My knowledge has broadened and expanded regarding this topic. I have been able to put myself in the place of others as well as relate my own personal experiences in regard to this topic. I see the importance of having a sensitive attitude toward this subject. In some ways this subject has taught me that it is necessary to simply agree to disagree about certain things. Every has a different view on things, but it does not mean that they are wrong. This has also made me take a careful look at myself. I am trying to pinpoint biases that I have developed over time and work on them so that I can become a better educator and accommodate children and families better.