Edit assignment

No one is perfect, we all have some racism and prejudice within our self rather we know it or not. Racism, blatant and overt acts of discrimination that are epitomized by White supremacy, that denies people of color their equal rights and opportunities, and can include having hate crimes perpetuated against (Sue, Sue, et al., 2016). Racism can result in negative behavior, intentionally or unintentionally towards a target person, or group. Prejudice, an erroneous preconceived judgment about another person based on one’s group membership (Sue, Sue, et al., 2016). However, both racism and prejudice can result in microaggression. Microaggression can be defined as, brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to a target group, such as people of color; religious minorities; women; people with disabilities; and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals (Sue, 2010, Sue, Capodilupo, et al., 2007). Microaggression can cause significant harm to the victims.

After reading the information presented in Chapter 6, I see myself in some relations to what is presents. I admit to having some racist and prejudice acts. However, I didn’t start these acts until I became a victim of microaggression. Growing up as a child, my parents taught my siblings and I to be color blind. We treated everyone the same and respect our elders no matter what race they were. I still remember the first time I became a victim of microaggression and it seem like since then my life been revolving around different racial microaggression. I remember my white female friend dad telling her that she couldn’t play with me anymore because I was African American. I also, remember when my high school basketball team which was mostly African American, played a predominately white girl team the remarks and hostile behavior the parents had towards us. Recently, all the killings towards African American by Police Officers. Looking back at all my experiences and what’s going on today, it made me become angry. Sometimes, I have a negative reaction towards certain race groups. The reason why is because certain race doesn’t care about African Americans. They just us as being lazy, unintelligent, loud. harmful and more. At times, it seems as if African American don’t have a voice and today’s society. We are treated unfair and looked over on application. It’s hard to be an African American at times because we still have people who are so hateful and this make a lot of African Americans angry.

When I read over the microaggression chart some of these experiences resonated within myself. I remember when my two male cousins and I were getting on the elevator and this white older lady was on the elevator alone. She grabbed her purse closer to her and moved to the corner. I could tell that the lady was terrified and thought we were going to do something to her. I also, became prejudice towards Muslims after 9/11. I become very terrified when I’m at the airport and see Muslims around. I fear that they will do something harmful. Another experience, when I was at the mall. I entered a store where mostly upper-class individuals shop. When I walked in I got a look from a white worker as if I didn’t belong in the store. She followed me around like I was going to steal items from the store. Instead of asking if I needed assistance the workers looked passed me and helped other shoppers who wasn’t African American. These experiences made me feel angry and one day I hope to understand why whites feel this way about African Americans. I wish that one day we all become color blind and treat everyone equally.

References.

Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2016). Counseling the Culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice. (7th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.