Microaggression is much more prominent than I once thought. This week alone I observed other students using racial microaggression towards each other. These were not done to be slanderous or harmful, but still comments were said. The particular microaggression that I observed this week was with a group of sixth grade students. These students were all working together (I work in a school where 60% of the population is Hispanic) and one of the Hispanic students said to another a comment regarding their skin color and calling them chocolate, etc. The students laughed it off, but I immediately corrected the behavior and we had a discussion about harmful things are said and even though people may laugh it off, the effects are long lasting.
I was saddened that these students at such a young age were already making comments to others about their skin color. What shocked me even more was that the racial aggression came from another minority group. I knew that people would discriminate against others, but I never really reflected on the fact that other minority races would be so hateful towards each other.
I do not want children to grow up with so much hate and aggression towards each other. Even if they feel that they are joking or that the other students don't get offended on the outside, the children are still affected. As a future early childhood education professional I will make it part of my mission to embrace all cultures and instill in children that the diversity of each other is what makes us so great!
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