Microaggression? Are You Kidding Me?

In this never-ending power struggle over racism, we have a new hoop to jump through.  It is called microaggression -- which John McWhorter loosely defines as "small slights that carry a lot of weight."  (Time, April 14, 2014.)


The country has ended slavery, lynching, no service at restaurants, sitting in the back of the bus.  We have made great progress toward equal employment opportunities (Where the appropriate training and qualifications exist).  We are trying to achieve equal pay for the same jobs across races and genders.  And now you want to slap us with a new cross to carry?  Microagression?  You're kidding, right?


So, we don't already have enough ways we have to be politically correct, we have to go to the micro level?  Get real!


What exactly do African Americans have to lose when they have no major racist issues to assert themselves about?  Power!  Ever since the Civil Rights Movement began to achieve momentum, they have had right-minded, kind and caring whites by the "short hairs".  (And yes, I know what that means, but can think of no better description for the situation).  A tamer way to say it is they have these well-meaning people walking on egg shells.  Like heck do they plan to let that go.  So, they have now launched onto a concept of microaggressive acts.  I can just see us all attempting to edit every word that comes from our mouths and our pens.  In fact, I once knew a woman who had written a book.  She was on the same social circuit as we one year, getting a lot of mileage off her unpublished work.  She spoke in editorial mode as thought she were writing and had to get everything down in final draft on the first try.  It was slow and tedious work trying to hear her out.  Believe me, you don't want to endure much of that.


I already know something about microaggression.  My last article for Lou's Issues was about Sweetheart Compliments.  Such comments could fall under this term.  They can be made to anyone across races and genders.  They could be construed as racist, sexist, spiteful or just plain poor manners.


But I have to agree with Dr. John McWhorter (See Time, April 14, 2014 for an article explaining this concept).  He states, "But if it's considered racist for whites to designate any trait as a "black" one, we can't turn around and say they're racist to look at black people as just people. . . ."  Apparently looking at blacks as just some of us is unacceptable as well.  You are right Dr. McWhorter.  But don't expect your fellow blacks to give up labeling whites for either behavior.  They would have to give up too much control over good white people if they did that.  They make too much off of keeping whites walking on egg shells all the time.  That is a good passive aggressive manner of controlling others.


But keep in mind that there are some of us out here that understand the game.  Some of us are going to keep you reminded of your own racist behaviors.