BLOG: Microaggressions reinforces systems of discrimination
“Hola, cómo estás?”
As the greeting escaped his mouth, I instantly felt uncomfortable. It wasn’t necessarily the fact that he, in his white male form and administrative position, had strolled up to me with a broad smile and his hand stretched out to say hello. It was the fact that as a person of my skin tone and name, he felt the need to address me in my presumed native tongue.
Never mind the fact that English is my first and, if we’re honest, only language. Never mind the fact I was there to conduct an interview in which he would be prominently featured. Never mind the fact that although I returned a greeting in English, he proceeded to say “ven paca” as he led me to his office.
This wasn’t the first time I’ve been met with microaggressions, and it certainly wasn’t the last. As a person of color, I’ve grown accustomed to the questions of my ethnic background, the backhanded compliments for my strong work ethic and overall personality, the preferential treatment a white person receives, the requests to speak louder or be more vocal, and being reprimanded for behaviors exhibited and accepted by white peers.
As Hispanic Heritage Month starts to come to a close, it is important to take a look at how not only the Latinx community but all people of color, continue to be treated. While blatant acts of racism, prejudice and discrimination are easier to spot, it is the microaggressions that subtly slip pass seemingly without notice.
The asking of a person of color’s origin is rooted in the assumption one is a foreigner or not American. The overabundance of recognition of a person of color’s intelligence stems from the centuries-long belief white people are generally smarter. The ignoring of a person of color seeking assistance in favor of a white person is laced with subtle second-class citizen labeling. The requests made that people of color speak louder or softer exerts dominance through humiliation. The reprimanding of a person of color’s actions which directly parallel with white counterparts further reinforces systems of discrimination.
Some would argue that those of us who experience microaggressions are simply being overly sensitive. Yet, it is these types of dismissals that further prove the disparity between people of color and people of privilege.
It removes the responsibility of those expressing microaggressions, while also allowing such behaviors to not only be sustained but further flamed.
Now, more than ever, it is time to recognize and call out these subtle acts of discrimination. No longer can we as a society remain complicit to the inherent racism of others.
