Recently, just this past week I attended my first staff meeting, in
conjunction there was a luncheon for a woman who was retiring. I was sitting
with a few colleagues. They were talking about holding a graduation party
celebration for one of the younger assistants in the office. The topic came up,
about how they would have to set the time of the celebration, and post it for
two hours before the actual time that the younger girl would be ready for the
celebration, someone said, "Oh because Alma is always running late and the
other said, "no she is on Hispanic time. "They laughed. Then one of
my colleagues, Brenda, who is a gem... she is also Hispanic spoke up and said,
"you know I am never late, actually I am always on time! "She was not
angry. But this was an example of a racial microaggression. Brenda handled it
eloquently. She was not going to allow others to get awake with a stereotypical
racial comment.
This week I really enjoyed the media presentation, on microaggresions. I
believe that Dr. Sue points are important ones. The world is diverse and
individuals of all ethnicities and backgrounds need to be conscious in regard
to respecting others. The theory sounds so simple, yet we know that its not.
Millie,
ReplyDeleteI have also experienced a similar microaggression at work with one of my assistants who is Hispanic. She was actually the one to make the microaggression at a parent of mine that was coming in late for parent teacher conferences but felt it was okay to make that microaggression because she was of the same race. To me, it doesn't make a difference what your race is when making a microaggression it all can be insulting and can do damage to another person. I enjoyed reading your blog!
Hi Millie,
ReplyDeleteSadly, I know how Brenda may have felt because, as Mexican, I have been target of some bad comments related to punctuality. Let me share with you that when I had my first doctor’s appointment in USA the doctor was surprised I was on time in her office. The doctor also told me that she is used to wait for a while for her Latino patients; she also asked me if I was sure I am Mexican. Because of her comments, I did not feel like trusting this doctor and of course I did not come back to her office.
After this experience I realized that making generalizations can harm the relationships we are about to establish in the personal and professional fields.
Thanks for sharing Millie!
Caty,
DeleteGood choice not going back to the physician. You like Brenda dealt with individuals who have no trouble utilizing generalizations and stereotypes which I find sad. I have to dealt with peoples unintentional microaggressions as well because of my ethnicity.
Thank-you, for sharing your story!
Millie
Millie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great example. You are right she handled it eloquently, honestly, and graciously. My guess is that the other women will think twice before making generalizations like that again.
Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteWe can hope so.
Millie,
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how people make racists remarks as jokes. It is unethical and irresponsible to make remarks at the expense of others. People do not mean any harm; however, that does not stop harm from being done.