The example of micro aggression that I observed this week was within a parent conference. The parents had arrived to speak with the site base manager of an early childhood education program to set goals for the year for their child and to discuss their child moving form the early head start program to the head start program since their child was soon to turn three years of age. Within this conversation the site base manager turned her conversation into discussing the child’s teacher, who was not the reason why the parents had come to the meeting for. The site base manager made a comment in which she stated “you will have to excuse said teacher if you ever see her walking around in a funk and not talking; she really is a good teacher but you have to learn her attitude, I still am. Although I believe that the site base manager was trying to convey to the parents that this teacher was very good with their child and a great teacher there was a hidden subtle micro aggression message about the teacher within her comment. The teacher is this case is African American and the site base managers comment to me was a micro insult in which the site base manager’s hidden message was that all African American’s have attitudes.
When I heard this comment I was taken back that I had heard it and that the site base manager said it. The site base manager attributed the teachers’ quietness as a funk or attitude when this could be just be the characteristic nature of the teacher to be quiet. I also felt uncomfortable and offended at hearing the site base manager say this comment to the parents because maybe the parents did not feel the teacher had an attitude or portrayed a funk but now there was a possibility to see this perceived attitude toward the teacher since the site base manager made the comment.
My observation of this experience made me aware of those subtle things that people say that are offensive and have the potential to really harm or devalue a person.
Wow! I can't believe that the site manager said that about the teacher. Unless the teacher was brought up by the parent then the site manager should have not said anything at all. I agree on being aware of subtle things that people say. They may not realize it when they say it, but it can hurt a person.
ReplyDeleteDid she forget her role as a manager. Even if she felt this way as a professional you never vent down ever. And with a parent it would really blow back in her face if the parent has or establishes a great relationship with this teacher.
ReplyDeleteObviously the manager did forget the main reason she was meeting with the parents. She should have just stuck to the main focus of the meeting, which was meeting to discuss the child's goals and what was expected of the parents.
ReplyDeleteI am sadden to learn this. As educated individuals we know what to say and when to say it. This case manager should know better and unfortunately gave a very bad first impression on the parents towards a teacher who will be with their child. First impressions last forever.
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