"I Didn't Mean It Like That..."

Browsing interesting articles is a primary benefit of having Internet access.  Even better is when, instead of browsing myself (often due to a lack of "free time" to do so), I have friends and colleagues who come across worthwhile texts and then share them on Facebook, where I happily can quickly find them at a convenient moment.

Twice in the past month (or so), I have come across articles about microaggressions, a term coined in the 1970s to describe intentionally or unintentionally inflicted phrases, behaviors, or other insults or humiliations directed usually toward people of color.  This definition has grown over the last several decades to include insults aimed at gender and sexual orientation and has garnered increasing attention lately because of the subtleties of the offenses.   However, the effects of this behavior exhibit ignorance at best and blatant -isms at worst.

The most  recent article showcases the experiences of students at Oxford University.  Although I cannot recall the first article I read about this current cultural phenomenon, I am struck by the audacity exhibited in these similar articles, which consist of numerous students of color holding dry erase boards exhibiting messages they have been the recipients of during their educational experiences at top-notch universities.

At first glance, the messages may seem benign, harmless little verbal indiscretions.  However, comments like "But...what is your African name?" and "Is that your real hair?" or "You do know they accepted you because you're black" say more about the speaker than about the recipient.  Such comments exhibit something truly more derisive, divisive, and harmful than a complete disregard for and lack of awareness of the dignity of the person. These comments, often uttered under the guise of feigned innocence, exhibit the thoughtlessness with which many people go through their lives, a shallowness all too often excused by caveats like "I didn't mean it like that" or "It was just a joke."

The term microaggression is telling, too.  Those on the receiving end of these acts of stupidity (for that is what they truly are) feel attacked, belittled, insulted.  And, they have started and joined campaigns to increase awareness of these behaviors arising from ignorant attitudes in forums like The Microaggressions Project.

So, if it isn't already obvious, what do I make of this?  Mostly, I am disappointed and even angered that there still exists an incredible amount of stupidity mascarading as ignorance, which in turn breeds intolerance and excuses.  Are people really still so naive as to think that what they say to others isn't important anymore? (A rhetorical question, but I guess the answer is apparently "yes.")  Although actions speak louder than words, it is also true that what we say is in itself an action.  Additionally, our actions (and words) DO have implications and consequences. What ever happened to the Golden Rule?  What ever happened to "speaking the truth in love"?  Thoughtlessness ought not be tolerated any more than stupidity should...and my closest friends and family know how I feel about stupidity.

SOURCE:

Edds, Robin. "65 Students of Color Share Their Experiences of Life at Oxford University."BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.