Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

One example of microaggression that I have detected was when I walked into a Nordstrom department store while visiting family in another state. I was followed around the store and it did not sit right with me. I asked the young lady if there was a problem and she said no. It was obvious to me that because of the color of my skin and if you could see the area maybe she thought I was going to steal something. I was beside myself so I left the store. When I met up with the rest of my family I told them what happened and they are white. We later went back to the store but this time we were all together. We this same lady saw me with them her whole demeanor changed. She asked if she could help us and that if we needed something just let her know. That did not happen when I went in the store the first time. She was so busy watching me that if somebody was trying to take something she would have never noticed. Even though I came back into the store with my family we did not purchase anything. We did it just to see what would happen. On another occasion a white lady clutched her purse as we walked by. On both occasions it made me feel that because of the color of my skin I was treated or dealt with differently. It was very upsetting but I held my head up high.

My perceptions on the effects of discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping people are that they can be very hurtful. Making assumptions about an individuals because of the color of their skin can have a detrimental effect on them. Labeling people in a negative manner has a lasting detrimental impact on those who experience the prejudice. I have found that people are more likely to be aggressive after they’ve faced prejudice in a given situation. They are more likely to exhibit a lack of self-control. They have trouble making good, rational decisions. Because of what I have experienced I am very conscious of these situations and I make sure I don’t do or say anything that would affect another person regardless of their race, gender, nationality etc. We are all equal in my eyes.