One example of microaggression that I would like to share this week occurred a few weeks ago. A young lady that I know text me very upset. Upon her arrival to work her boss wanted to know who had dropped her off. The young lady said my friend. Her boss asked well is your friend a boy or a girl. Before she could reply, her boss informed her that she hoped that her friend knew that she was going to hell. Gay people are sick and are going to burn in hell. The young lady was very upset because she had not experienced this situation yet in a professional setting. She didn’t know how to react and still maintain her employment. Personally, I am not a supporter of gay and lesbian relationships. I believe that we are meant to be with a member of the opposite sex because that is what nature intended. However, I do not impose my beliefs and preferences on anyone outside of my own household. When I had to console this young lady I told her that everyone has their own beliefs and in the work place it is best to avoid such conversations. Unfortunately, the lady that was insulting her was her boss. She is the owner, and therefore there were two choices; brush it under the rug and keep working or confront her and risk her job. That choice had to be the young lady’s decision.
This observation/experience made how hurtful and unfair it is to apply your own moral and religious beliefs onto others lives. Most importantly I found that the “Boss” was completely unprofessional in her behavior. This experience clarifies for me why, as a professional, you have to understand your own biases and address them so that when working with children and families you are able to embrace the differences that you encounter without negatively impacting their lives.
Jenny,
ReplyDeleteThat is a very upsetting example. I agree her boss was very unprofessional and should not have said what she said. I agree that this is a great example of how knowing your own biases and not letting them impact how you do your job.