AN EQUITY MINUTE — MICRO-AGGRESSION, MACRO HURT
A few weeks ago I held my inaugural meeting with all of Baltimore City’s agency based “Equity Coordinators”. We had what I felt was a really good discussion about the work they have been doing, opportunities to expand that work in the weeks and months ahead, and what they need to excel. There was good sharing about challenges and opportunities and how more support can be provided to meet the challenges.
And then one coordinator shared an experience about micro-aggressions observed in the workplace. So compelling, so loaded with all that we are intending to address with our equity focus, the sharing called for going “off agenda” and into a deeper discussion. So we did that.
Our colleague had observed several instances of uncomfortable interactions between African-American colleagues and Caucasian members of the public. The members of the public presumed that the African-American colleagues were subservient to them and at their complete service. Words were used that were insulting and hurtful. Having experienced this several times, our colleague was asking for guidance on how to handle this type of situation in the future. This took our conversation into a sharing of my own experiences of microaggression, the unshakeable sting of the insult, and how I’ve dealt with it. Not. Easy. To. Do.
Kevin Nadal, a professor of psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, defines microaggressions this way: They are the everyday, subtle, intentional — and oftentimes unintentional — interactions or behaviors that communicate some sort of bias toward historically marginalized groups. The difference between microaggressions and overt discrimination or macroaggressions, is that people who commit microaggressions might not even be aware of them. Someone commenting on how well an Asian American speaks English, which presumes the Asian American was not born here, is one example of a microaggression. Presuming that a black person is dangerous or violent is another example.
Nothing “micro” about it. Intended or not, the words sting, big time. Let’s all be mindful of our own words. Inadvertent or intended, words can and do hurt. People won’t remember what you did or what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel. And isn’t that kinda what this is all about?
Marinate on this for a minute and then reach out and let’s talk about how you can join the mission to co-create equity in Baltimore City and your world, from wherever you are, right now! Please reach out to me at Equity.danapmoore@baltimorecity.gov and 443–610–6761.
