·
Brief
everyday indignities
·
May
be verbal, behavioral, or environmental
·
Are
communicated intentionally or unintentionally
·
Contains
an insulting message
·
Often
causes severe psychological stress and harm
When my brother was only 17 years old,
my mother and I brought him 2006 dodge magnum with rims to match the car. It
was his graduation gift. Since we brought him that car, he has been harassed
several times by police. One day when a police officer, pulled my brother over
and asked him, “How did you get a car like this? Are you selling drugs?” My
brother replied, “No! My mom and my sister brought it for me for a graduation
gift. Several times after that my brother was pulled over by the same police
officers for the same reason. It had gotten to the point that they were making
me angry because I knew who had brought the car, and I knew my brother was a
good kid. My mother and I went to the police station to talk to the captain
about the incidents that was happening to my brother. After talking to the
captain about the harassment it stopped, but the damage of racial profiling
stayed with my brother. He said, “They made me feel like he wasn’t supposed to
have a car like that because he was young and black.” He also said, “They made
me feel like I wasn’t anybody.” I believe my brother suffers from a severe
psychological stress because till, this day he doesn’t trust any police
officers. Most people who have authority, abuses it by mistreating people, and
that's not right. Police officers are supposed to protect and serve us, not to
harass and cause severe psychological stress and harm.
After that incident, with my brother, I
only trust police officers as far as I can throw them, and that’s not very far.
I do know that there are some exceptional police officers out there because I
have friends who are one, but I also know that there are some prejudice ones
out there, as well. My perception the effects of decimation and prejudice cause
severe damage to those who experiences it. Most people don’t forget when events
like that happen to them. I know my brother won’t and neither will I.
Reference
Laureate
Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Microaggression in everyday life. [Video webcast].
Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com
Erica,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry this happened to your brother and to your family. This week has really opened my eyes to the things I may have said and not have meant any offense but may have hurt someone. I couldn't think of anything specifically, but if what Dr. Sue says is true and we probably are not aware of our own offenses, we probably have all done something with out knowing it. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Cari and you're welcome.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this with us! I am so sorry to hear that this happened to you and your family. I see that we live in the same city and sadly I have some similar feelings about SOME police officers. A co-worker from my old job at the restaurant has mentioned on numerous occasions how the police have stopped him. He rides a bicycle everywhere he goes, has a long and fluffy beard, and is dressed in baggy pants. Of course he is getting off work late at night. He said he has had police officers follow him and stop him to question him. He can not help but think he is getting stopped and questioned because of how he looks. So sad to know this happens.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it is sad to know that this happening. I'm glad I could share this with you all.
DeleteIt is heartbreaking to hear stories about racial profiling. I feel for your brother and your family. It is not fair that people get to assume things just because of how we look and talk; what we can and cannot do; what we believe in and practice; or what we have and do not have.
ReplyDeleteI am just glad that there are courses like what we are taking up and people like Dr. Sue who advocate against racism and microaggressions. I do hope that more people will have access to our resources so that they too may get to open their eyes.
I pray they do as well because it is some great information.
DeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad, and raising a young African American child, it really makes me feel scared for him. I am glad that you and your mother took actions. Many people would let it slide, and that would have perpetrated that unfair treatment. He is lucky to have such caring women in his life. Thank you for sharing this experience.
You are so welcome.
DeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteOnce again after reading your post I am reminded of how people in our society continue to degrade others. Racial profiling is one of the most horrific gestures that can ever be made. I pray that one day we will all not be judge by the color of our skin! Your brother is truly blessed to have two very strong women in his corner! He should never be ashamed of who he is or the blessings that he receives.
Erica,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about what happened to your brother. My husband has experienced similar harassment by the police. It is unfortunate that Black men have to deal with these issues. I am raising two young boys and I have already told them that if they ever get pulled over by the police what to expect and what to do. I hate that I have to tell them these things but that is the nature of the world that we live in.