(Racial) Microaggressions in Paradise…Again

We were recently at a resort that is considered the number 1 family resort in Fiji. Indeed, we were there for a family event. Upon check in at 2pm, I was told the check in time was actually 3pm. When I pointed out the mistake in my email confirmation, I was told that information was for early or late check in and check out respectively. When I made mention of the fact that it would be nice to…

12 Racial Microaggressions in 2 days: My Recent Experience

Today is the last day of my writing retreat. The intention was to reflect on 2021, set goals for 2022, and otherwise unplug from my usual life. I chose a resort at which I’d previously had pleasant experiences as a facilitator and with my family on vacation. It is a gorgeous place with gentle thunder of ocean, friendly people who seem to really care, and what I consider a down-to-earth…

(Technically my first microaggression was ay the team meet and greet when the field leader mistook me for one of the other black afabs who was next to me, but I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt cuz we had both just introduced ourselves and were wearing masks)

Coworker A was talking to me about her sexual assault that happened at the old location and i was comforting her abt it and she went

"(Something something something) and he was black." In that way that screams " i hate to mention his race, even ig its relevant to the topic"

So i was like "Hey listen, anyone od any race can do something fucked up. This guy was black, its okay to say"

And she was like "Oh good, But I'm not racist!" And she went on to talk about how she was raised to never say the N word and everything and then added "But, you know, sometimes balck guys say it and its so confusing"

Then a few minutes later she went on to talk about how her grandad had nicknamed her "coons" 👀

Like, why do y’all have a problem with how we look naturally??

If your problem is what a person of color is saying about their own race, keep it on that. Don’t bring in hypocritical body shaming bullshit, and don’t call us “Oreos” or “coons” or whatever over our appearance or our grooming preferences. That’s just petty and racist.

all just because they don’t “look” or “act” enough like some asshole’s warped, myopic perception of what people of this culture/ethnicity are “supposed” to be like

I had to go through it and I despise seeing it happen to others

I feel like a broken record with the other topic. I’ll resume that another day, and I kinda regret even bringing it up simply because I know it’s a touchy subject. I forgot what I even said to begin with to be honest. But gonna chill for a bit so I can resume with a clear head.

I’m not triggered nor offended, but I cannot help but feel pressure when talking about that issue, simply because I leave out one word or sentence and the entire post goes BOOM.

Anyway, link in question.

This may seem silly now, but imagine if this is put in a faculty rulebook. Or a student’s handbook.

Here are some frightening ones.

Where are you from?

Where were you born?

When I look at you, I don’t see color.

There is only one race, the human race.

America is a melting pot. (as false as it is these days...yeah)

I don’t believe in race.

Denying the experiences of students by questioning the credibility/validity of their stories (because you know, only white people lie or exaggerate)

White man or woman clutches his/her purse or checks wallet as a Black or Latino person approaches. (I’d check my door anytime I saw any pedestrian heading towards me - just in case.)

While walking through the halls of the Chemistry building, a professor approaches a post-doctoral student of color to ask if she/he is lost, making the assumption that the person is trying to break into one of the labs

I believe the most qualified person should get the job.

Men and women have equal opportunities for achievement.

Gender plays no part in who we hire.

Everyone can succeed in this society, if they work hard enough.

Affirmative action is racist.

That’s just page 1.

In addition, another university is trying to make it so you can anonymously report “microaggressions”

http://theithacan.org/news/ic-sga-passes-bill-to-create-system-to-report-microaggressions/

Imagine if these two were combined.

I think this just demonstrates why I DESPISE the term ~PoC~, it just splits human beings into two oversimplified categories; we’re not goddamned laundry. There’s more to ethnic groups and backgrounds than skin colors. So much more.

Also, I have a deep desire to stab anyone who tells a Latino person that they’re not ~Latino enough~ because of their physical traits or behavior in the face with a mechanical pencil, double if said cabrón is Latino so they should fucking know better

BUT, for all intents and purposes, I suppose you are ~PoC~ *pukes inside mouth*