For the blog assignment this week we were asked to discuss a time during this week, or any past experience we have had with microaggression.
Microaggression is a type of aggression that can be verbal, behavioral or environmental. These are messages that are communicated intentionally or unintentionally, and contain insulting messages and often can cause severe psychological stress or harm. Microagression can be aimed at race, gender, or sexual orientation. It is a harmful refelct of a world view of infority or superiority and inclusion or exclusion. Sometimes, it even happens outside the awareness of well-intended individuals. (Laureate Education, 2011)
I chose to write about a time that I experienced at a previous center I worked at. The area I grew up in was predominately Caucasian, working middle to upper class families. The microaggress began when a new family came into the center, and they were African American. One family in particular showed some distaste for the new family. There were two seperate occasions when the family was racially microaggressive.
When the caucausion child was dropped of for the day, he immediately went over to play with the African American boy. He was playing in the block area. When his mother went to say goodbye, and saw him with the African American boy she went over to them, took him by the arm and said he had ot wash his hands, then causally directed him back to play with the caucasion boy with the cars.
I did not think much of this, until a time when the African American child was having a birthday party. This boy put invitations in each child's mail box for their parents. When the child's mother arrived, she held the invitation and said "Oh look! Your friend is having a birthday party! We can go to the birthday party." She read the invitation and saw the name, and said "Who is John, which friend is John?" When the little boy pointed to the African American child, the mother put the invitation in our trash can. I had no words, I was shocked actually. I suppose she saw my face, because her response was "Well, we are busy that day anyway, so I dont see why i should take paper home when I know we can not go."
I brought the issue up to my director and assistant director, because I felt this child did not need to be subjected to the microaggression this parent was displaying. It did not begin to show on the child, after the mother left he would continue to play with his friend John.
I actually do not have a conclusion to this story because I left that day care center and moved on.
(Laurate Education, 2011. “Microaggressions in Everyday Life”)
7 comments:
Cassie,
The situation you describe is “alarming”. Children really do not pay attention to skin color when they are young. The Caucasian child’s mother is teaching him to hate and to discriminate. It is unfortunate for this child as well. He has to grow up with a parent who practices are to be prejudice toward others based on what color they are. Quite shameful!
I agree with Debra, shameful and alarming. How very, very sad that a mother would do that to her child, and John. I sure hope John didn't see the mother throw the invitation in the trash. How heartless! Kids just want to be friends with people that they "click" with. It doesn't matter to them what their color of skin is. I was wondering how your director of your center felt about this?
It is rather hurtful and I hate thinking about the situation, but it is one of the situations that sticks clear in my mind.
I wish I handled the situation differently, but my first thought was the children. If john didn't notice the invite being thrown away, or how this mother was acting I did not want to bring direct attention to this.
I wanted to find a better way to handle the situation, and I was very new to the profession.
Cassie,
What this child's mother done was totally inappropriate! What is this teaching her child...discrimination! I can’t believe the nerve of some people. These children didn't see anything wrong with their friendship..Some parents are instilling hatred in the children they are raising, however, when they are grown they are going to have to work together, so why alienate these relationships now?
Hi Cassie,
It made me sad to read your blog because a parent was teaching her child how to hate and discrimate another child who happens to be black. Some parents teach their children prejudice because it was taught to them by their parents at an early age. It is part of their family tradition which is wrong. Children only see children not what color their skin is.
Cassie, I agree with Debra it is a shame that parents teach the children this sort of hatred to others. Children are the by products of parents and they out to see how it affects society and try to change their own attitudes toward racial differences.
This mother's behavior was absolutely disgusting.Not only is she setting a bad example for her children but she is subjecting her behavior on the surrounding children, parents, and staff members.
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