Practicing Awareness of Micro aggressions
Growing up as a little girl there was an old saying that
sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never harm me. As years
passed by I learned that this statement was not true because words can
sometimes hurt even more than the stone that hits you. I have two wonderful
grandsons who received a scholarship to attend one of the most prestigious private
schools in Eastern North Carolina. The school has around 750 students which
around 720 are white students and around 30 students are black. My grandsons
are two of the black students that make up the 30 students. My daughter called me upset because her best
friend asked her why would she send her children to an all-white school wasn’t
public school good enough for them. My daughter became so upset about the
statement. I explained to my daughter that everyone was not going to be happy
about her sending the boys to a basically all white school but this was a great
opportunity for them and that they would be alright.
The micro aggression that was spoken to my daughter hurt
because instead of her friend looking at the boys as having the opportunity to
attend this school she viewed it as our family think we are better than others.
No I do not feel we are better than other but I do believe we are just as good
as others and we have a right to educate our children where ever we chose.
There are so many that would love to attend this school but it was my grandchildren
that received the scholarship and for this opportunity I am grateful.
I love this example you gave. Have you ever read Barack Obama's book, "Dreams from my Father?" It is one of the best books I have ever read, but the entire book centers around the concept of having a white mother and a black father and where does he fit into society...he's too black to be white and to white to be black. (his words, not mine). It's a very honest and open look into his early life and how he struggled with this concept and so did those around him. He went to some of the best schools because his family believed he earned and deserved it, no matter his skin color. Congrats to your grandsons..I hope they love it!!
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