Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

I remember a moment that I was a target of microaggression within the workplace. My early childhood program was trying to achieve NAEYC accreditation. In order for early childhood programs to receive this form of accreditation the program needs to create portfolios about the center, the classrooms, and the entire program. My team was working together on the Toddler Classroom portfolio together and supported each other’s work to complete it to be assessed. I was having trouble with a few questions and my team found it difficult as well, they suggested I speak with the director, my supervisor, and ask her for some help and support. I remember asking her help with a specific question and the response I got from her was, “Well, read this section again and the items that you need for it is here in the require materials. It’s all right there in front of you.” I thanked her for the help and asked a completely different team member for her insight, thoughts, and feelings regarding the question at hand. I few weeks later I asked my supervisor the same question and her response was, “It’s right there in black and white.  It states exactly what is needed.” I tried to express myself about how I was feeling and she continued, “Erin, its right there. Look at the suggestions and collect the materials for the section.” I completed the section and a week later I was spoken directly about the work I completed. “Erin, this work is a half ass job. I need you to go back and look it over before handing it in again next week.” I expressed myself that I worked very hard on the section I was assigned and asked multiple times for help and was pushed aside regarding the questions I was asking. I was the target of racial microaggression, more specifically microinsults and microinvalidation (Laureate Education, 2011). My work was being subjected and invalid of the hard work I put into completely the section in the more successful manner to achieve the accreditation. I felt that I was not capable of completing the assignment I was given and that I was not intelligent enough to complete the task. I felt insults at how my supervisor was treating me with regards to an assignment that I was given to complete. My supervisor always states that the teachers can go to her for anything and ask questions whenever we need any help. Well clearly when I asked for help it was not returned in a manner of understanding and support.

            I made observation this week regarding culture and microaggressions that affected my perception on discrimination. It opened my eyes to know that it’s not all about culture or diversity, but power and superiority over others is what I took away from this experience (Laureate Education, 2011). I never felt so degraded in my life by the way my supervisor spoke towards me. I felt like I was a little child being scolded by my mother. It was embarrassing and I wanted to express myself and be heard.  I was made to feel inferior and to understand my boss was the superior and to listen to every detail and suggestion that came from her whether it was right or wrong. I was able to have a voice when I spoke with the Director of the company about my feelings regarding the way I am treated as an employee. It was nice to share my feelings and finally be heard, but I want it to be with my supervisor. After learning about ways to change microaggression, I will try to have a more intimate connected relationship with her to avoid and prevent any form of microaggressions with her in the future (Laureate Education, 2011).    

References

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved

from https://class.waldenu.edu