I
do not recall experiencing or observing any instances of microaggression this
week, but I can share an example that my daughter told me about.
Many
of the clubs in the Kansas City metro area that are popular with those in their
twenties have dress codes. My daughter
has observed that entry into the clubs for males is often based on the person’s
race rather than what they are wearing.
A white man may be allowed entry to the club while a person of color,
who is wearing the same type of clothing, will be denied entry. My daughter told me that some of her friends,
who are men of color, keep extra clothes in their car so that if they have been
denied entry, they can change clothes to see if that will make a
difference. This is an example of how decisions
are made based on a person’s color. This
is an example of what Margles & Margles (2010) refer to as “the
attribution of characteristics and capabilities, limitations and propensities
to entire groups based on the colour of
their skin and other physical features” (p.138).
The
resources, readings, and discussions as well as the results of the online tests
that I took have all helped me gain a deeper understanding of how pervasive
discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping are and how far reaching their
affects are. It has also given me the
chance to reflect further on my own journey towards being more accepting of all
types of differences.
Reference
Margles, S. &
Margles, M., (2010). Inverting racism’s
distortions. Our Schools/Our
Selves, 19(3), 137-149. Retrieved from
In the local clubs in my city located in Maryland also have dress codes for men. I think that the women also should have dress codes in looking at what some of them wear. But nevertheless, I do think it is unfair that people of color are viewed as violent individuals. I have heard many people say that people of non-color dress and act like they are black people or they want to be black. What happen to people just wanted to be themselves.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. Yes, the person's apperance can affect certain outcomes of the event taken place in their life. Thereby, the forms of stereotypes are generated over-and-over again as a process that continues to thrive off of diverse individuals. I feel that stereotypes need to be diminished completely!
~Adrea Reavis
Geralyn,
ReplyDeleteYour daughter has made a significant observation of how microaggressions impact people of color when trying to patron a popular business. Although saddened by the situation, I am not surprised that this happens. The worst part is that the black men, trying to get into the club, realize that they are viewed only by their skin color, and understand that it is some people's perception that all people of a race look the same. With that understanding of bias, they hope to be granted access to the club simply by changing their clothes.