This week our assignment revolved around microaggressions and the unintentional consequences they can have on others. As a grade school student I experienced a microaggression toward one of my best friends who was handicapped. He was often treated differently in scenarios dealing with is mental capabilities, when in reality, he was very intelligent and probably smarter than most of his fellow classmates. I remember people treating him like he had a mental disability even though he had a physical disability. This made me aware of people's misconceptions and how they can negatively affect people.
This week I learned that prejudice occurs in many aspects of life and can come in many forms. It is not always easily to identify and can be unconscious or conscious behaviors. This makes it difficult to try and create a "perfect" learning environment for students. There will be children who grow up with prejudice parents and the prejudice becomes a learned thing in a child's life. We must try to create understanding and equality through practice.
Thank you for sharing your story about your friend. It made me think about how not only is ableism prevalent in our society, but ageism is alive and well, much to the chagrin of those receiving microaggressions. I all to often see people speaking loudly to older people, or assuming that they need help with something. As I ponder this point, I recall being passed on a local hiking trail by a couple that must have been nearly three times my age, at a point in my life where I was the least healthy. They were an inspiration to me, and I think of them often when I see a younger person underestimating the capabilities of someone based on their age. :)
ReplyDeleteI, too, went to school with a boy with a physical handicap. He was born missing an arm, as was the niece of my former director, and a parent I know from the gym. While these people may face challenges that you or I never will, I can tell you from experience that they manage just fine! The boy I grew up with played on a travelling baseball team through high school, the little girl is a great ballet dancer and gymnast, and the parent manages his two children (both under the age of six) without missing a beat. These are just a few examples of why we should never judge a book by it's cover!