Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week I shared a story with my parent about how my son had an allergic reaction from something he ate from KFC.  I shared with her that my son ate chicken, corn on the cob, and a biscuit.  Her advice was to call KFC and speak with a manager about the incident and find out what type of oil was used to fry the chicken.  I told her the chicken was grilled and her response was “oh”.  I smiled and we continued to talk.  Now this comment could be perceived as a microaggression committed with a microinsult.  Although I was not insulted by the assumption that black people or African-Americans like to eat fried chicken (a stereotype), I do realize that African-Americans are not predisposed to eating fried chicken than any other group of people on the planet.  

Another microaggression occured today as I was waiting for an oil change to my vehicle.  A White man asked me if I was wearing blue contacts and my response was no.  His assumption is that people of color do not have naturally colored blue eyes.