This morning, I saw this article on the L.A. Times online site. It's a pretty comprehensive review of the literature that already surrounds the concept of 'microagressions,' which some people might not really understand. The article details some specific experiences of students at USC and UCLA, but incorporates the opinions of faculty at other schools, as well as mentioning other schools that are creating dialogues or collecting microagression data, such as Harvard, Oberlin, Dartmouth, and Columbia.
I think educating the general public about microagressions (and how harmful they really are, despite them being less explicit or blatant acts of racism) through a platform with such a wide readership as the L.A. Times is really monumental, and especially in connection with the unrest happening all over the country at various schools and universities. As we have seen here on campus in the last few days, the personal stories of students who have been victims of microagressions (and macroagressions) are a powerful thing, and stories like these that help spread awareness will hopefully contribute to the change our schools and our country so desperately needs.
I think educating the general public about microagressions (and how harmful they really are, despite them being less explicit or blatant acts of racism) through a platform with such a wide readership as the L.A. Times is really monumental, and especially in connection with the unrest happening all over the country at various schools and universities. As we have seen here on campus in the last few days, the personal stories of students who have been victims of microagressions (and macroagressions) are a powerful thing, and stories like these that help spread awareness will hopefully contribute to the change our schools and our country so desperately needs.