Just this week I had an exchange with a stranger, who approached me, to ask me about my 4 year old daughter. She is adopted and biracial. She mentioned how cute she was and asked if she was mine. I said yes and she said, "adopted"? After replying that she was indeed adopted the woman made a statement that was intended to praise my "good deed" of adopting as well as to discriminate against the african american race. Her comments illuded that my daughter would be better off with me, because "they" can't seem to take care of their kids. Unknown to this woman, who intended to sing my praise, I value my daughters heritage. I celebrate who she is and recognize that without her biological parents she wouldn't be here. Unfotunate circumstance and poor choices can happen to anyone and categorizing it by race was very dimeening.
With each exchange similar to the above mentioned I feel more and more irritated. My faith in God helps create my view of others. In God's eyes we are all created for a purpose and He doesn't see us as a certain color or status.
Hi Heather, thank you for sharing this personal example of microagression - I cringed when I read it! I try to always be aware of the fact that unfortunate circumstances and poor choices can truly happen to anyone - 'But by the grace of God there go I' is one of my favorite sayings. I think it is a wonderful thing to adopt child of any race, and I admire you for doing it. As I become more and more aware of microagressions, I feel the need to educate those around me. I think it is important that we begin with those working in early childhood. Delores
ReplyDeleteHeather, I wonder if people are sometimes as innocent as we give them credit for. Microaggressions kind of remind me of that friend that who insults you followed by a recovery compliment.
ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteHi I commend you for adopting period, no race, ethnicity,any other thing stood in yourway. No matter the reason you are a great person for that. Whoever that lady is needsto do some reevaluating with alot of things.
Great statement!!!…‘’Unfortunate circumstance and poor choices can happen to anyone and categorizing it by race was very demeaning’’. I couldn’t agree with you more!! Your statement got my wheel turning….I find it ironic that our choices determine what categories society classifies in. in addition, microaggression interactions with other people tend to be rooted from the stereotypes that the dominant culture in society have determined. It’s funny how the dominate culture in society determine what choices we make are appropriate. Thanks for sharing!
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