It was standing room only Sunday at the M.V. Hebrew Center for a NAACP-organized discussion on the topic of microaggressions, and how more conversation about the subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle hints of racism is needed on the Island.
The panel discussion was titled “Subtle Acts of Microaggression.” Moderator Carole Copeland Thomas, president and CEO of C. Thomas and Associates, described microaggressions as the everyday slights, insults, invalidations, and offensive behaviors directed toward members of marginalized groups by people who might or might not be conscious of what they are doing and saying.
“They need to be discussed and understood, just like we need to appreciate diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, multiculturalism, and other topics, with unapologetic pride,” Copeland emphasized at Sunday’s event.
Among the topics were how to recognize microaggressions, how to respond, and who should be responsible for taking a stand.
Panelist Tom Hallahan — a professor of health sciences and staff member at the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation — provided examples of microaggression he has observed. Hallahan is a single, gay father of an adopted son from Cambodia. Through the adoption process and having a child of color, he said that he encountered questions such as “Where is he from?” followed by the query, “No, where is he really from?” Hallahan explained, “I would always proudly say, ‘He’s from Oak Bluffs, but he was born in Cambodia.’” Part of Hallahan’s method of coping is relying on his faith, by praying for himself and others.
Sheryl Taylor, a public health professional and director of Communication Ambassador Partnership of MV, said that microaggressions can have a lasting impact when it happens repeatedly over time. “Having that constant barrage of those small, ongoing, regular challenges impacts children in terms of their neurodevelopment, and ultimately, their outcome in terms of chronic disease,” she said. “While we think of microaggressions as a moment-to-moment thing, in a lifetime, those microaggressions really do impact our health and happiness in a very real way.”
Panelist Dhakir Warren, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Martha’s Vineyard, discussed how and why individuals should respond to making microaggressions, especially those who are not being targeted.
“Privileged observers have a duty to act. It’s inappropriate to expect members of a marginalized community to dismantle a system that it did not create,” he said.
He listed some fears people might have about going from a bystander to what he called an upstander. “If you see something as a microaggression, use it as a teachable moment,” Warren said. “Depending on the context, every action should have a proportionate reaction. But every part of those reactions has to do with speaking up … I would say, exercise a little less tolerance and patience, and let people know.”
Panelist Arielle Faria — co-chair of Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank, board member of the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation, and recently declared candidate for state representative doe Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket Counties — addressed how well-intentioned people should best support the receiver of a subtle act of microaggression.
“Being an ally requires sensitivity and willingness to take appropriate action, and the ability to step outside of yourself,” Faria explained. She encouraged individuals to listen attentively, validate the person’s emotions, and acknowledge the impact of what happened. The human tendency can, too often, be to try to solve the problem before even letting the person finish speaking about their experience. But it is important to refrain unless asked. “To just listen sometimes and to be present means everything to them,” she said. “Holding space for them can be all in some instances.”
One of the questions from the audience came from Lynne Rhodes, the Cape Cod president of the NAACP, who asked, “How do you approach the person who doesn’t believe they have done anything wrong?” Faria spoke about approaching the person and telling them how something could have been perceived, regardless of their intent, and asking them to take a moment to think about what they are trying to accomplish. “Address it. You have to come out of your comfort zone in order to advocate for others,” she said.
Taylor added, “Whether the person intends it, believes it, holds space for it or not, my response is because my life depends on it. I need to address it and interrupt it, so I’m not carrying it into the next part of my day. I’m letting you know this because it’s important to me, and whether you see it or not, feel it or not, or believe it or not, this is the impact it is having on me or those around me.”
Taylor went on to further encourage discussions across the Island: “As much as I love being on this Island and being part of this community, because of our self-concept of who we are, I think we are not having these conversations with our children. I work in the school system, and on this particular issue, I hear it more and deal with it more here than I did in Florida or Texas [schools], since we are not having those conversations with our children because of the self-concept of who we are. So it’s an issue we need to continue to talk about.”
Toni Kauffman, NAACP MV president, said that she was pleased with the turnout. “We weren’t sure how microaggression would resonate with our community.” In closing, she promised a follow-up session on Zoom using the feedback gathered from participants: “You have said to us this can’t be a one-and-done. We are going to keep going with this conversation.”
“When you get home today, look at how, where, or in any form, microaggression may be present in our community, or your life,” she said.
It is disappointing to see the microaggressions at 5 corners on the weekends. The Jewish people continue to be attacked, and it is sad to see so many under-educated people supporting hatred. There was a cease-fire, it was before October 7th. Support our local Jewish community, Palestine voted to be run by Hamas terrorists. Stop the microaggressions and support each other. Enough of the divide, it is ruining a great community.
So a Physician telling me I am too heavy and it would be healthier for me to lose weight is shaming me, can alter my self perception and is indeed a microaggression. Who knew? A parent telling their 13 year old to lose weight if they really want to make the track team at school will negatively affect their self esteem. I am easily offended by this article and consider it an aggression upon my common sense. Does that count?
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