I thoroughly enjoyed the video about microaggressions that Amber showed in class. I was trying to reflect on instances in my life where I personally experienced a microaggression that was directed towards me. Thinking long and hard, I don’t know if anyone has said anything or even done anything that can be considered to be a microaggression. Growing up, I was always part of the dominating ethnicity in the schools that I have attended (excluding post-secondary). Also, in being Filipino, I have not really encountered any micro aggressions in regards to Asian culture.
Even though I feel as if no one has “inflicted” me with a comment resembling a micro aggression, I know that I am guilty of making microaggressive comments. Prior to the program, I worked many retail jobs and one of my favourite questions to ask customers would be, “Where are you from”? At the time I was unaware that this is a comment that indirectly makes people feel “othered” as my main goal was to just stir up a mini conversation, so apologies to those customers! My question to others (if you’re comfortable sharing) is what are some microaggressions you have heard of or were directed to you? How did you feel?
Thank you for sharing, Julius! To answer your question, one of the most frequently asked questions from students during my practicum and CFE when I introduced myself as “Mr. Kim” were: “Are you Korean?” followed by things like “Do you like BTS? (KPop Band)”, “I love Kimchi. Do you like Kimchi too?” or “Where’s a good Korean BBQ Place?” I personally do not mind these questions as I indeed am Korean and I enjoy all the aforementioned activities/things affiliated with my culture. However, watching the video today, it made me think that not every Korean person thinks/perceives/behaves/feels in the same way. And it also highlighted the notion that we should not superimpose cultural stereotypes in perceiving someone’s identity without their prior input or consent.
Personally, in thinking about my experiences, I think a large basis of these questions stem from the fact that there are not many Korean teachers in comparison to teachers from other ethnically Asian backgrounds, so it may be something that is new, unfamiliar or exciting for students (And naturally accompany many questions). However, I am also aware of the rhetoric that we should not assume to identify anyone based on their outward appearance or name. It was fortunate that I still retain a lot of my cultural values and I am quite neutral towards these questions and occasions, but if that same question was asked to a different Mr. or Ms. Kim who may have no ties or preference to Korean culture whatsoever, then it would be a totally different (and problematic) situation. Or if someone is misinformed that Kim is a Japanese or Chinese last name and ask if I was Japanese or Chinese, that may be problematic too. So I guess to summarize, the point is not whether or not the person asking the question correctly or incorrectly identifies Kim as a Korean last name. I think the focus should be on looking past the name and accepting and attempting to see that person for who they are as an individual first (hence person-first language) and then if that person opens up first regarding their ethnic background, then the safe consent has been given to ask or discuss these things. But we should be careful not to do so from our own part from the get-go.
Sorry for the long wall of text!