Microaggression

This week I experienced microaggression. Before this week I never knew of this term but now I realize it is all around us. I was having a get together with a group of friends. When a jar needed to be open. The jar was opened by a girl and one of the boys said: " Wow your pretty strong for a girl" He meant it as a compliment but my friend perceived it as rude and against her femininity.  I felt very uncomfortable during this whole encounter and began to think about everything we have learned this week.

I was able to see stereotypes and discrimination at work and I saw how painful it can be. Personally, if someone said this to me I would prob not think about it. But to a girl who feels like she isn't girly enough to fit in this was a big deal.  My point is what this week has taught me along with my personal experience is that it is important to think before you talk and not let your judgments subconsciously come out because it can cause real pain. Before this week I may have never noticed the hurt the girl experienced but because I was hyper aware I was able to catch it and help them talk it through.