Friday, February 1, 2013

The Trouble with "isms"

I work at a community college and spend most of my time on campus. I wasn't sure how this week would go as far as trying to detect "isms". I felt like I may really be surprised with all of the microaggressions I ignore each day, or I may hear relatively few. This week I noticed that the primary "isms" I heard, which included very few I may add, were targeted towards ageism, classism,  and ableism. The one that really struck me was when someone said to me, "I am not working dead end jobs, that's okay for some people but not me...I don't want to live poor". I was speaking with a student regarding his career plan and path to reach that goal. I noticed I immediately became defensive when he stated it, yet I tried to remain professional. He then stated it again, at which point I reminded him that every situation in life can be looked at as a learning experience. My perception is that there is a divide amongst the classes, and a disagreement about how we can all work together to reach a common goal. Is poverty okay for some, but just not others? I think that was the implication. Overall this week when I began to really look, listen, and be aware I was shocked by the acceptance of certain microaggressions. I also feel that populations that do not fit within the dominant culture and are therefore vulnerable may be more at risk of being the target of a microaggresion.
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3 comments:

  1. Wendy NewbyFebruary 1, 2013 at 10:26 PM

    Mandy, I also work at a community & technical college. We have an average student age of 35 years old with a range that includes technical high school through baby-boomers. There are many opportunities to hear the clash of generational ageism, in addition to racism, however, I am encouraged when I observe true friendships develop between such diverse groups of people. The cafeteria is a great place to observe multigenerational and interracial companionship forged in an envronment of a shared interest.

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  2. Joseph StarnesFebruary 2, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    Mandy,
    Thank you for your post. I agree that cultures outside of the dominant culture have a greater risk for suffering microaggressions. I feel that, unfortunately, many people believe that being poor is a choice. We know that that is not true; however, I am glad to hear that the young man has aspirations and dreams for himself.

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  3. DFebruary 3, 2013 at 6:49 PM

    Mandy-
    This is a very interesting microaggression. It got me thinking about what people tag as dead end jobs. Most the the positions I think of when this phrase is used are typically service jobs. Resturants, grocery stores, gas stations, movie theaters, janitorial positions, department stores and yes, even early education. These jobs offer a paycheck, direct interaction with the public and a much needed service but very little opportunities to advance and little respect. However to say they cause one to live poor is a matter of perspective. Is your focus is on material posessions and keeping up with the "Jones'" or is it on the sense of accomplishment that comes from a job well done? Often times the greatest rewards from these service positions while not monitary in nature, are more valuable.

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