After watching the video segment by Dr. Sue, I remembered an incident that happened a few months ago at work. One of my co-workers is stationed within another agency. She had become friends with a woman who is a lesbian. Other people working there started making comments about them and being very unprofessional. My co-worker was very upset and it made it very hard for her to work in that office. She went to our director to explain how uncomfortable she was and really didn’t want to be in that office anymore. My director told her to not be so sensitive. My co-worker is still in that office but she still feels uncomfortable.
I now know that my co-worker was a victim of microinvalidation. I don’t believe my director meant to invalid her feelings. I felt bad for my co-worker because she was very upset. I could listen to her but I couldn’t identify with how she was feeling.
The video segment has made me more aware of comments being said around me. It is amazing how many things are said and people don’t realize how they make others feel. I would love to take this video segment to work and show it at a staff meeting. I believe a lot of people would learn a lot from it.
Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). “Microaggressions in Everyday Life” with Dr. Sue
I don't believe your director was meaning to invalid her feelings either. I'm sure she just didn't want to lose a good employee and just wanted her to look over their childish behaviors, but at the same time she wasn't taking her feelings into consideration. As a director she should have stepped up and addressed the issues professionally.
ReplyDeleteRichelle, what a terrible situation for this co-worker. I don't think the director meant any harm but in the end caused some. I think it is a great idea to have people view the video by Dr. Sue. It was definitely eye-opening.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Everyone needs to watch this video. I have had my feelings invaidated many times and am sure I do this without thinking. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you that the director did not mean to harm or hurt the person's feelings. This is a great video that many people should see and try to understand so it can help you later in life and in your career.
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