Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions
Working within the field of Developmental Disabilities, I often find myself facilitating trainings throughout the county. Whether providing a SUTQ training for area childcare professionals or speaking on behalf of the Disability’s Board at various community events, my go-to concluding statement always includes, “People with disabilities constitute our nation’s largest minority group (one in five Americans has a disability). It’s also the most inclusive and most diverse group: all ages, genders, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic levels are represented” (Snow, n.d.). I also remind the audience; not only do persons with disabilities make up the largest minority group in the world, it is also the only minority group anyone can join at any time. Who would be there for you and how would you like to be treated?
A life-changing moment occurred two weeks ago; however, when I stumbled upon and viewed, The Disability Conversation: Ben Myers, video. Like a slap in the face, I came to the startling realization; I, myself, was a hypocrite and actively engaging in microaggression. And worst yet, I was doing it on a daily basis.
“How often do you call someone crazy, stupid, idiotic, insane? These are all slurs and yet we somehow find it ok to say them; why” (The, 2015)?
It Starts With Me, It Starts Today!
On Thursday, November 16, 2017, I began tracking the number of times I used these slang words and also asked my staff to do the same. Within the first day, I had referred to my day or current situation as crazy 4 times, my overwhelming schedule as insane 1 time, and called myself stupid 6 times.
Crazy * Stupid * Idiotic * Insane
How quickly was I able to correct my microaggressive behavior; one day! That’s all it took. Why? First, because I wanted to change. Second, I was horrified at the very notion that I was actively participating in such derogatory conversations. Third, because it’s the right thing to do. Forth, because I value all people for the uniqueness’ they bring to my life and the lives of all those they meet.
Unfortunately; however, there is one word that I can’t seem to escape and that is; stupid. I call myself stupid all the time and not only do I call myself stupid, I feel stupid. This is a word that has haunted me since childhood. It is amazing how the words of others can burn into your soul so deeply, you believe it to be true, and even when you realize it’s not, you still can’t shake its lasting impression. But I’ll keep trying!
References
Snow, K., (n.d.). People First Language. [PDF] Retrieved from
The Disability Conversation | Ben Myers | TEDxOStateU. (2015, April 23). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccIAqPjwKcY
Lynnette
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post. I agree with your post. I like when you post when people with disabilities constitute our nation’s largest minority group (one in five Americans has a disability). I agree because there are lot children and adult those disabilities. This bad interact with children that have a disability is children all pick at them about their condition. I agree because children and young adult need learn how to be treat disabilities children with respect.
Iesha
Lynnette,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the candidness of your post. I never knew there was a phrase for all these typical, daily verbal expressions we hear on an everyday basis until this course! I, too, am guilty of condoning and sometimes participating in forms of microaggressions. I am now so much more mindful of what I say and what I allow others to say in my presence. The words that you mentioned in your post that we often use to describe people like crazy, stupid, idiotic, or insane are more hurtful and impactful than we realize. Thank you for bringing attention to this.