A few weeks ago my husband experienced a form of microaggression right in front of my home. My husband was in the yard doing some landscaping ( which is a loved hobby of his) and staining our outdoor bench area when a police officer passed by. He looked up at the officer and waved his hand and went back to doing his work. The police officer came by 15 minutes later and told my husband that he was doing a really nice job and thought the work was beautiful. He then asked my husband how much does he charge for work like that because his wife would love it. My husband stated, "Oh I don't do this for a living, I just like to give the front of my home a makeover from time to time." The officer laughed and said, "Yea this is your home....right". My husband stood there and repeated that this was our home. The officer looked surprised and stated that he assumed that we were renting the home. I was insulted at the remark and walked away.
Through this experience I believe that the officer was not trying to discriminate in any way but he figured that an African American family owning a home in that particular neighborhood was surprising. The fact that he laughed at my husband insisting that we owned the home was the most hurtful. The funny thing about this whole ordeal was that the officer was African American himself and I think that he believed the stereotype of the culture that we live in. He made an assumption about our living situation just based on the neighborhood and the color of our skin.
Hi Kami,
ReplyDeleteThat is an awful experience. The fact that the officer was African American makes it even worse. It is hurtful to experience microagressions, but to experience it from a person of the same race is more hurtful. It not at all surprising though.
Hi Kami,
ReplyDeleteThis experience sure drives home everything we have been learning this week. We become and belief so much of what our society impresses upon us. It drives us to be forever mindful and aware, using knowledge as power in such situations. Thank you for sharing.
Kami,
ReplyDeleteConsidering how strongly our societal views impact our ways of thinking, it is truly unfortunate that our society simply accepts everyday indignities such as the example you shared. It is a reminder of how bias and discrimination work their way into everyday situations. While I feel many would like to believe that prejudice and race issues are things of the past, a police officer finding it comical that an African American man would claim ownership of a home that he DOES in fact own serves as a reminder that we still face a long road toward true equity.
Thank you for sharing this eye-opening example.
Best,
Parker
Kami,
ReplyDeleteGlad you have shared this story. I have heard people commented on other people's house, but not in their presence, but to stand in the existence of you and your husband and make such a statement, it's unbecoming. I know you think of it as an insult, and feel alienated. However, the hidden message is behind it, but the officer has used this assumption unintentionally, as well as unconscionably. Glad that we are knowledgeable about micro-aggression.
Joanne .
Kami,
ReplyDeleteAs another African American family hearing about situations such as this one weighs heavy on my heart. We (as a culture) need to do better in uplifting each other. I have dealt with and observed situations where another African American rather male or female have laughed or ridiculed another for doing better for themselves and their family than what is expected of them.
Thank you for sharing
Lauren
very interesting post. I enjoyed reading. Just from reading your story gave me the confirmation that I needed that my security in our neighborhood is being prejudice and judging us by the cars we drive and the house we live in. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete