Posted on 05/12/2015 11:04:21 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Apparently, just being in certain rooms is a microaggression.
According to a new report released by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, just “walking into or sitting in” a classroom full of white people is a microaggression in itself.
“Students of color reported feeling uncomfortable and unwelcomed just walking into or sitting in the classroom, especially if they were the only person of color, or one of a few,” stated the report, which designated the experience a microaggression.
“People do not necessarily say I do not belong, but I feel as if I do not when I am in a classroom and I am the one non-White person,” said one student, identified as a Latina female, who is quoted in the report.
The report, titled “Racial Microaggressions,” was based on an online survey of more than 4,800 students of color during the 2011–12 academic year, and it found more than 800 examples of such microaggressions on campus. Now, that may seem like a lot — but it’s important to recognize that this high number could signify the prevalence of a tendency to assume that almost anything is racist rather than the prevalence of racism itself.
Don’t get me wrong — some of the examples are totally unacceptable and definitely racist. One Asian student reported having “been told to go back to running a Laundromat,” and a multiracial student reported that she once “overheard other White students discussing admissions and laughing about how the only reason stupid Mexicans could get into this school was due to affirmative action.”
Those things are definitely racist and offensive. There’s no doubt about that.
But a lot of the report’s “most commonly described” racial microaggressions could also be interpreted as having nothing to do with racism at all. “Being the only student of color in the classroom” was on that list, as was “being discouraged during meetings with one’s academic advisor” (one student determined that her adviser had questioned her choice of major only because “she realized I was African American,” and therefore, “in her mind, I wasn’t able to successfully complete the major”); “being dismissed or ignored by the instructor before or after class” (an African-American male stated, “when I raise my hand, I am often not called upon”); “receiving hostile reactions to participation in the classroom discussion” (one student said she has “witnessed and felt that when a minority student tries to correct [a] comment . . . they are then viewed as angry or defensive when in reality they are simply trying to inform others of what is true”); and “being excluded from participating in a group project” (one student says he keeps quiet in these situations because “I feel as though what I have to say often doesn’t matter to the rest of the group members.”)
But don’t advisers question students’ major choices all the time? Isn’t that actually their entire job? Hasn’t every participation-eager student had a professor that he feels doesn’t call on him enough? Isn’t it possible that people who act annoyed or upset about being publicly corrected are just upset about being publicly corrected in general rather than because they were corrected by a minority student specifically? Doesn’t the group-project example sound more like the kind of general shyness/self-doubt/social anxiety that anyone can experience rather than a sign of institutional racism?
Despite the fact that so many of these “microaggressions” are designated as such based on questionable assumptions, the study still recommends that the school take drastic measures to stop them: requiring that all students complete a “General Education requirement about race, White privilege, and inequality in the United States” as well as “both a non-Western culture and a US people of color cultural course”; fundamentally altering the curriculum to ensure that a third of all college 101 classes “include diversity and inclusion”; providing workshops, trainings, campaigns, and brochures “to help students identify when racial microaggressions are occurring”; creating a “slogan or language” — such as the phrase “Racism Alert” — to use when they identify one; and developing a “mechanism for students to report perceived racial microaggressions.”
Call me cynical, but I have a lot of doubts about these suggestions. First of all, I could see college students mocking a phrase like “Racism Alert!” rather than taking it seriously, which could just create further discomfort for everyone involved. Furthermore, what material specifically is the report suggesting that the school eliminate in order to make room for this kind of widespread anti-microaggression curriculum?
Some of these policies could even create tangible disadvantages for minority students. For example, picking the right major is a crucial decision, and experienced advisers definitely have the ability to help students pick one that’s going to benefit them most — but putting advisers at risk of being branded racists forever in a campus-reporting system for offering this kind of advice to students of color might discourage them from doing so.
No doubt, racism and sexism exist. But it’s important to carefully examine problems before jumping to do something to try and solve them just so you can say that you’re trying — especially when some of the ideas run the risk of making things worse.
So being white is a microaggression, as blacks will have to see that, and feel bad.
Is wearing blackface the cure?
Yes, it is hard for shy people to go into meetings if one is different. I was a phsician in the days when women made up only 7 percent of doctors. Often I was the only woman in the room at meetings. But since I like men, usually I had no problem.
but microaggression? Nope.
I once ended up on a city bus full of black people on the south side of Chicago. No wonder I felt uncomfortable: I was being micro-aggressed!
(The end of the story: The nice bus driver called me, a teenage white girl, up to the front of the bus, determined I was SO lost, and let me out at the proper stop to go back to my starting point, with full instructions. Whew.)
Actually, a room full of Whites is a rarity, in many, many places, like the welfare office, unemployment office, emergency room, police department holding cells, social security office, the DMV
How about a whole continent of African Americans free to figure it out for themselves.
Don’t get me wrong—some of the examples[of what?] are totally unacceptable and definitely racist. One Asian student reported having “been told to go back to running a Laundromat,” and a multiracial student reported that she once “overheard other White students discussing admissions and laughing about how the only reason stupid Mexicans could get into this school was due to affirmative action.”Especially if they might be made up. I guess the concept of “hearsay” escapes some people.
Those things are definitely racist and offensive …
So now simply feeling uncomfortable about being different than everyone else in a room, even when that discomfort is entirely of your own making and internal to you, is reason enough to accuse everyone around you for being aggressive toward you?
Honestly, if I didn’t have a grounding with God for my worldview I’d be terrified of this. This is the kind of thing dystopian horror movies are made of. No matter how hard you try to do the right thing you are always wrong and one inch away from the government destroying you for making someone else uncomfortable even when you couldn’t possibly know or do anything about it.
That’s called one step away from shattering the sanity of our entire society. We will all go stark raving mad trying to live under that kind of thinking. I mean even MORE mad than what the education system has been doing for decades. A whole different level of psychosis.
She is the one with the problem—not the other students. She is obviously uncomfortable with her skin color.
One of the problems with our institutions of higher learning is something no one ever addresses.
That is, that every professional/habitual student needs to submit an original thesis on anything to get their doctorate degree and/or professorship. Since the colleges/universities are now controlled by the "hippie" generation, any thesis will have a slant towards their teachers' socialist ideology teachings.
The above is even a bigger problem than the biased MSM.
One of my White female classmates went to a Chicago university for medical studies, and she had an experience while riding the Chicago ‘L’ one day. She was just learning her way around and was surprised when all of the White people left the train at a stop and then filled with Black people. A Black woman came over to her and asked if she was lost. The Black lady explained that the train was now in Southside Chicago and this White girl had no business being on that train in Southside Chicago. The Black lady safely escorted her onto the next ‘L’ train headed back to northside Chicago.
On another occasion in 1972 a car with three White Air Force men was on its way through Southside Chicago to the airport when the traffic stalled on the Interstate highway and the fuel tank was sitting on empty. To keep from running out of fuel on the Interstate, they took an exit into Southside Chicago. The Black people on the sidewalks glared at the White men as if looks could kill. A Black Santa Claus advertising for charity donations on the street corner at a gasoline station stopped what he was ding just to stare down the White men in the car. This Santa Claus was making it clearly understood that these White men should not expect to pull into that gasoline station. Turning around and going back onto the Interstate highway without refueling, they made it to Northside Chicago, refueled, and made it to their flights on time.
At no time shall there be a gathering in any space, confined or otherwise, where the numbers of Caucasians shall exceed three or 20% (whichever is fewer) of the total occupants of the space or perceived space as defined by the sensibilities of the most aggrieved micro aggressed people of color therein present or contemplating entry.
"So let it be written. So let it be done."
(I just love Newspeak - don't you?)
Watching various Discovery owned programs, there are actually some that exist as Island states, or small nations like Costa Rica that has a huge ex-patriot American community of retirees and live that life-style.
Interestingly, Cuba used to be a refuge for ex-patriots before the Fidel Castro's stupid communist revolution and turned it into a lost cause.
Hoping what I'm reading of late regarding Raul Castro is true. Since Fidel is now out of power and may die any day, maybe his brother will see the benefit of capitalism. And no, don't give any credit to Obambi. Raul was already talking about change before Obambi lifted some restrictions regarding Cuba.
Think of all the Board meetings in our largest companies just waiting to turn Cuba into a resort destination. Think of how Baja California has built so many resorts with American know how. Cuba could be the next Bahamas if they get their sh&t together
I was offered a job in DC in 2009, and ended up moving there and stayed for 3.5 years.
At some point, our organization was going to have a picnic over at Bolling AFB. I was doing public transportation (my challenge to live without a car for the period), and simply plotted my getting to Bolling by Metro and bus. I had two or three co-workers who suggested this was not practical, but I was hard-headed.
So I transited into the heart of DC, and then took the Green Line over to Anacostia Metro station (may 1,200 feet from Bolling). I got off and walked up and simply waited for the bus.
What you tend to notice in the bus parking area of the Anacostia station...well....out of the 300 people mulling around and standing there....I was the only white guy. I admit, it took about sixty seconds for this to dawn on me. I had two guys come over and offer to sell me refreshments out of their cooler (beer or soda)....which I graciously said no. Five or six folks were prepared to sell me some crack or weed, but I graciously declined that as well.
I admit it was 11AM and probably would have been really stupid at 11PM, but I was safe enough. Eventually, the bus came and I got over to Bolling. Out of 300 people at the organizational picnic....I was the only one to travel via Metro.
The general feeling at the end of the day? Kinda like being the only white guy at an Indian reservation. But with one odd note....at an Indian reservation....there’s almost zero odds of you getting robbed, killed or assaulted.
I personally can not stand hyper sensitive people. These folks have some real issues.
I avoid them whenever possible.
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