ACTIVITY 8Slow Down Before You React

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

—Maya Angelou

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Ooops!! You've been called out for a microaggression—a more often than not unintended insult or slight that expresses a prejudiced attitude or stereotypical belief toward a member of a marginalized group. This is difficult to self-identify because we are unaware that it's happening. Sometimes they happen without having to utter a word. Consider whether you've clutched your purse, wallet, or briefcase tighter because a Black man joined you in an elevator or you quickly shift from a watchful eye to closely following Latino customers around your store or you consistently choose not to sit next to a person of color at conferences or events. Verbal microaggressions are usually intended to be complementary. The intent isn't what matters; it's the impact. Telling a Black co-worker “You speak so well” suggests that you expect them not to be as articulate as White colleagues. Asserting as a White woman to a woman of color “I know exactly what you're going through” signifies that her gender oppression is no different than the other woman's race and gender oppression. Then there are those microaggressions that reveal your biased assumptions. Asking the Hispanic executive at a conference to refill your water glass implies that people of color are servants to White people and couldn't possibly occupy high status ...

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