I observed a racial micro-aggression that involved a micro-insult
this week while I was observing an accident that had just occurred outside my
house. After I heard the accident I had went outside to see what had happened
and to make sure everyone was alright. After a few moments some other people
had come down the block and outside of the surrounding homes to see what had happened
as well. Well as I was standing there with a few other acquaintances from the
block an older man (a Caucasian man) came up next to us and said… “It doesn't
surprise me it was an Indian that caused the accident, they can’t drive”. I
looked next to me at my friend with a stunned look on my face; I couldn't
believe he had just said that. He had just implied that all Indian people can’t
drive because in this particular crash an Indian person did cause the accident.
He had just made the assumption, he didn't even know if it could have been a
malfunction to his car that caused the crash. Why was he making this
assumption? How did he come to this conclusion? Does he just have something
against Indian people? If so, why? These were the questions that were running
through my head. I probably would have asked him if he hadn't walked away by
the time I had turned around from looking at my friend.
This situation really made me wonder where people get these
stereotypes they blurt out. How did all these assumptions and stereotypes of
other people of different cultures, meaning different from the dominant
culture, come about? It just makes me mad to hear people talk of others in a
negative way when they don’t know the person at all. How can they make these sorts
of judgments when they don’t even know these individuals on any sort of level?
As you can see I have many questions and get upset when I hear individuals make
negative remarks against others. I am not racists nor do I judge others for
being different than myself. I often wonder how others come to believe these
negative assumptions of others. If others choose to believe these stereotypes
and see others as below them then we will never end this cycle of micro-aggressions and biases of others.
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteHe sounded purely ignorant and I am glad he walked away because more falsehoods would have been stated. Here in New York, those remarks are usually used on Asians because of the slanted eyes. It's probably as ridiculous as your neighbors remark. I am sure it is not documented as true anywhere. Thanks for the post.
Hi Kristen,
ReplyDeleteGood example. I have never heard that stereotype before. I'm not sure what to think.
Liz
Hi Kristen, I enjoyed reading your post. Isn't it strange how people make assumptions based on color? I agree with you, we do not know what caused the accident. Just as you stated, there could be many possible reasons how this accident happened. He did not even consider that this tragic accident could have resulted in death. I am at loss of words right now.
ReplyDeleteGreat post because I can truly relate. I remember being in an accident myself and the police officer shook his head and said women drivers. The funny thing is the fact that the person who caused the accident was a man and he admitted it. I would ask the man if you ever see him again why he said what he said, he might not even remember.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me how we stereotype others. It does not matter what race or gender the person is when there is an accident someone has to make the insinuation that it was how that group of people drive. I often wonder how did we come to this, where was the start of the stereotypes, racism, prejudice, discrimination, etc.? Why when we have so many members of our society advocating against such acts it seems like they are getting worse rather than better? I hope that I live to see the day where society has come together as a unit to fight against such aggressions and we win.
ReplyDelete