This past week I have been cognizant of the many conversations around me and especially my own words. In my discussion post, I mentioned the comment I made to my sister in our exercise class. I never saw myself as one who would participate in a microinsult. It made me realize how vulnerable we are to making inferences that may hurt others and ourselves without really realizing, and do so on a daily basis.
In remembering my high schools years, physically, I was very thin. Others including my friends would refer to me as “toothpick legs” and other not so endearing terms. They thought it was funny and thought I should think it was funny. However, I did not think it was funny and it made me feel marginable and inferior.
I have not reflected on the past, that far back, for a long time. However, in doing so, I now have a better understanding of how people can take such power on a daily basis and make others feel less than they really are.
My goal from this day forward is to do my best to bring out the best in children and their families, my family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances. I may not be able to change others, but I can improve myself. I must begin by being acutely aware of what I am going to say before I say it. If everyone would begin with themselves then conquering oppression would be so much easier.
2 comments:
I applaud you for your honest reflection. Part of my anti-bias quest came from my informal studies - movies such as Pow Wow Highway, El Norte, Europa Europa, Joy Luck Club, Crash... books such as Reclaiming Medusa, Always Running, Crossing Over, Joy Luck Club, House on Mango Street, Soledad Brother, Tortilla Curtain, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee... Plays such as Twilight Los Angeles... poetry by Wanda Coleman, Michelle Clinton, Sesshu Foster, Amy Uyematsu, Irene Soriano...
And still, I make mistakes that I can't believe.
Sally,
These articles have made us all take a closer look at ourselves. I was also skinny in my younger years, but I surely can't say that now. Nice post.
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