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Microaggression Essay Examples

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I was someone who did not pay attention to her surroundings. As English is not my first language, I did not understand others’ intentions behind their words. There is a big cultural difference between the Americans and the Vietnamese. Though I was born in America, I am fully Vietnamese. Being surrounded by microaggressions was not a big deal for me as a kid until I grew up and realized that they were racially motivated. Growing up surrounded by Vietnamese traditions and practices made it difficult for me to adjust to American culture, leading to a lack of awareness of microaggression. Microaggression is defined as: “The standard definition for microaggression is a verbal or nonverbal slight that impacts an individual who might identify as being …show more content…

My younger self stood in the middle of the classroom with a naive smile, surrounded by several peers pointing in my direction. The pointing fingers represent how I am viewed like a zoo animal—as someone exotic. According to stereotypes, I am supposed to be yellow, smart, and have broken English. Despite being pale, having an average IQ, and fluent in English—though some say I have an accent. Being placed in the middle with all fingers pointing towards me creates a sense that I am the center of attention—as if I stand out from everyone else. The feeling of being an outsider remains, even though I was born in America. There are times when I wish I was not Asian so I could fit in better. My wish is to educate young students about the existence of microaggressions because I did not know about the term until college. I just wish I had known of them sooner because I regret not doing anything about it back then. Having had the opportunity to learn about microaggressions through my course (ARTEDUC 2600) as well as real-life experiences, I have come to understand the significance of these experiences and their impact on individuals. For others who may also be facing recurring microaggressions, it is important to prioritize self-care, seek support and allies, and speak up against these inappropriate behaviors to raise awareness and promote

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