The
universe hates me, indicated by its microaggression towards me that caused me
to stumble upon this gem a few days ago…
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Microaggressions, a
term coined by psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce in 1970, are described by UCLA as the “…everyday
verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether
intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative
messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group
membership.” This description was originally intended to describe the subtle behavior
of white people towards minorities in the U.S. – notice that the word applies
nowhere else in the world – the word has been
taken up by the Millennial generation to mean any slight that makes a person
feel remotely ill at ease.
The cartoon illustrates the problem with these perceived
slights vividly. We know what the artist was trying to say, but if we think
about the instances illustrated for us, do they really stand out as ‘aggressions’?
1 – In the second panel, there could be any number of reasons for cabs passing
you by. It could be they have someone to pick up or already have a passenger
you’re not aware of. Or the driver is going off duty. Or they driver is the
same race and gender and decide not to pick you up because they know their own
kind doesn’t tip well. There could be a billion reasons why you don’t get
picked up. I’m a white male; I’ve been passed up by cabs before. It’s not a
microaggression. 2 – In the third panel, a young white woman looks cautiously
towards our protagonist, because minorities are never seen taking the subway.
Could be that our protagonist is playing some crappy music that offends the
delicate ear of the little white devil. 3 – The protagonist expects a lowly
educated white male to pronounce her name correctly because she has taken the
time to master every language. Moreover, maybe he was asking her where she was
from because he’d like her number and Brooklyn is a disqualifier for him. It
was a disqualifier for the Giants and Dodgers, after all. 4 – The losing weight
comment in the fifth panel is something everyone suffers from all kinds of
people. Well, almost everyone. My mother remarks that I eat like a bird. Should
I get offended? No, I am comfortable with my svelte weight and don’t need to
answer to anyone for it. I may be lean but it’s not like my life’s in danger,
Mom. So, she’s the one who needs to get over it, not me. 5 – In the sixth
panel, yeah, that guy’s a dick. If there was a need to be old-fashioned, why
was our protagonist given the project in the first place? But this isn’t
necessarily an ‘aggression;’ it’s stupidity on part of her manager. 6 – The seventh
panel doesn’t even happen. Why would the caller expect a designer to be
answering the phone anyway? 7 – The burger comment is probably coming from some
vegan dipshit and has nothing to do with the person suspecting our protagonist is
a vegetarian because of her ethnicity. This would be a case of ‘aggression’ but
there’s a quick come back for that: Hum favorably while biting into the burger.
8 – In panels nine and ten, yes, these guys are being assholes and our protagonist
is right to be upset. But such a situation can happen to anyone. Panel eleven
implies one has to be accepted by their peers. This bit is ridiculous. 9 – Why would
anyone assume someone wanted something sugar-free? This seems like it would be
a case of someone just not doing their job right, not an intentional or even
unintentional attack. 10 – In panel fourteen, the cashier may be unintentionally
profiling but as I always say, stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason. 11 –
In panel fifteen, the police are looking for a suspect; could be anyone so they’re
going to ask everyone who they are. If the suspect is an ethnic woman, of
course they’re going to say something to her.
Look, I know what it is to have a bad day, when
it seems like the entire universe and everyone in it is out to get you. Llelena
certainly should be irritated by her work situation, in which case I would
start working on my resume. But just about everything else, Llelena has to give
permission from within herself to be offended. Words are only words and one has
to internalize them in order for them to impact us negatively. So, when people
remark that sensitive people should grow thicker skin, they’re right. If a
person hasn’t realized by now the world is full of idiots and assholes – and idiots
and assholes are not exclusive to any group of people – they should expect the
hurt that is coming your way. But it doesn’t have to hurt. They only one
letting themselves get hurt is themselves.
If you think you don’t deserve to be hurt, then don’t be. Getting hurt implies
you do in fact deserve it. In the final panel, Llelena recognized she doesn’t
deserve it and is going to kick ass tomorrow, too. That’s why she’s the protagonist.
Microaggressions are often not what Millennials
think they are. If we scratch the surface of their psychology, we’re sure to
find a lot of self-loathing. They protect themselves from it by imagining
everyone else is the enemy. Like people of every generation before them, the
real enemy lies within.
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