Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Often times, some US citizens are being alienated in their own land and are being treated indifferent due to appearing “different from the norm.” At times, people are blind to their own biases and prejudices due to the fact that their intentions may not be purposed to cause another to feel inferior or less than being adequate.

 I can recall a time when I walked into a clothing store and was not greeted while I entered the establishment; and shortly after, another person from a different race made the same entrance and received a warm greeting. As I finished accumulating my items I stood at the counter for checkout. The same person who I mentioned above walked and approached the same store counter; and then she was asked “ma’am are you ready to check out?” I felt invisible and disregarded at this point, because clearly I was being treated as unimportant, insufficient, and devalued as well.

I felt as though the other person was being considered a more valued customer, and that I was seen as being lesser than. Even though the lady never verbally expressed her microaggressions, the body language that I received spoke louder than words.

I have realized that some individuals are unaware and unconscious of their own behaviors and may not intentionally mean to cause harm, but harm is being done to others. I am learning how to overlook a lot of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes. People will only improve if they are willing to learn in order to become knowledgeable about things that seem different from themselves. The main key is to  remain conscious of our own behaviors.