Article by:
Dr. Gerald D. Curry
Racial Microaggressions has long been a systemic problem in the United States of America and continues to adversely affect the way historically marginalized communities navigate life. As a person of color, I must mentally prepare myself for negatively encounters with microaggressions every day of my life, not really knowing where or when it will surface, I can surely expect it before the end of the day. A microaggression are the everyday slights, insults, and validations that people of color experience in their day-to-day interactions with well-intentioned individuals who are unaware that they have engaged in an act that may prove harmful or invalidating to the person they are engaged.
The broader community may view microaggressions as small and trivial, but the constant exposure has a cumulative psychological effect. Allow me to give you an example of what a microaggression really looks like. After presenting as the keynote speaker at a national conference the host of the event followed up behind me and said how articulate I was. While most would view his comment as a compliment, it was disconcerting because at the time I was the Deputy Undersecretary for Security, at the Department of Energy, and a PhD with thirty-five years’ experience. You would expect for someone with these credentials to be articulate. Another example, after arriving at a contractor’s site for a business meeting along with four subordinate members of my team, all who were white, the receptionist met us at the door walking up and extending her hand to one of my employees welcoming Colonel Curry. He smiled and pointed to me saying, “Sorry, he is the Colonel, not me.” The surprised on her face unfortunately was not shocking.
The bottom line is society has painted a picture that people of color are less than, dangerous and violent, and cannot be trusted. As a professional we constantly must confront these stereotypes by our actions and many times going overboard to confirm our innocence in a non-threatening posture. I am reminded of the tragic death of young Trayvon Martin, who was merely walking home from the local store and mistaken by George Zimmerman as “Up to no good” and a “Suspicious person,” or Eric Garner who was selling cigarettes and viewed by Daniel Pantaleo as, “Blacks are less trustworthy and believable.” The point that needs to be understood, when microaggressions are left unchecked, they can become deadly.
I am not sure about you, but at times I am about to blow my cool when I must confront these biases. It seems the older I get, the less tolerant I have become, and my responses are shorter and more deliberate. As an older citizen I view it my responsibility to now educate people I encounter. I no longer get mad, I merely say what needs to be said, and I do not allow these experiences to go without correction.
There is a cumulative effect to microaggressions and many times if bottled up for too long, without any explanation it comes out explosively and viewed as anger, pent-up frustrations, or harmful acts. Psychologists often compare microaggressions to a form of bullying. The primary difference is with microaggression the perpetrator is not conscious of their infraction. The remedy to solving microaggression is education and awareness. Classrooms need to be filled teaching and educating on the harmful effects of microaggression. We have an opportunity to improve how society treats historically marginalized populations. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the demographics in America is changing and by 2050 the white race will be the dominant minority. This shift in demographics is a fact that society must wrestle with, and already we are seeing the Republican Party rezoning voting districts to favor their future candidates.
As an American who loves this country, we have a duty to stand up and be heard. I advise you to confront racial microaggressions every time you see it. Team up with your white brothers and sister by pouring into them with love and support. This issue does not have to be adversarial. We can find our commonalities if we simply communicate. I look forward in hearing from you as we end racial microaggressions forever.