MICROAGGRESSION Microaggression is indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group.
“I have black friends.”: Just because you have black friends doesn’t mean you are excused from making comments that are offensive and racist.
“You don’t look/act like a black person.”: This phrase uses the word “black” as disrespectful and claims that anyone who doesn’t act black is apparently okay. There’s no way to act black, people are just black, and it's not a bad thing.
“You people…”: It singles out black people and compares them to everyone, usually to claim that they are lacking in a certain area that a white person would excel in.
What can you do to change? Recognize that dismissive attitudes are harmful. Engage in self-reflection to identify your own microaggressions. Avoid making assumptions and labeling individuals. Learn when it is better for you to say nothing than potentially saying something rude. Let us do our part as a community.
ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER Other marginalized groups also wish to bring awareness about their own rights/issues. These hashtags usually end in the "__ lives matter" format. However, this diminishes the BLM movement and silences black voices. For example, #SaveTheMuslims can be used rather than #MuslimLivesMatter.
Q&A with SCA Girls Q#1: Some people refer to natural hair as “crazy and wild.” Has anyone ever referred to your hair in that way, and how does that make you feel?
“No one has referred to it as crazy or wild but a lot of people are surprised by how long my hair is. I used to go to certain salons and they would ask my mom if I was mixed because they didn't believe that I could have long hair with two black
Others would question if my hair was really mine because they weren’t used to seeing black people with long hair.” - DALUCHI UMEGHALU (Class of ‘21) parents.
Q#2: How do you feel when people say “All Lives Matter” while actively disregarding the issues of the black community? “When people say All Lives Matter, it feels like a direct attack to me as an African-American young woman. When we say black lives matter, it’s meant as a way to uplift the voices of AfricanAmericans that are too often silenced. “All Lives Matter” should be an inclusive statement (because all lives do matter), but those who say it aggressively mean it as a way to disregard black people and the Black Live Matter movement as a whole. Personally, I feel offended when All Lives Matter is used. Although the issues of the black community aren’t the worst issues in this world, the problems
When people use All Lives Matter it feels like a complete rejection of our movement, and everything that we stand for.” - NAOMI WALTERS (Class of ‘23) are still there.
"When people say “All Lives Matter” it makes me feel disrespected because the reason why we say Black Lives Matter isn’t because we’re saying that Black Lives are superior to any other life. We are trying to get that recognition and respect that other lives have. It’s frustrating because they don’t understand how it feels to be looked at by people and they treat us differently because of how our skin looks. So when people say “All Lives Matter” it shows how those people don’t care for the ones who are dealing with this and truly struggling.” DESIREE KING (Class of ‘23)
Q#3: How does it make you feel when non-black people actively use the n-slur? How would you react to those who do use the n-slur?
“I feel that word has deep meaning for African Americans and other races have not had that experience in order to use the word so it bothers me.
I would explain that it’s not
a word they should be using, end of the story.” - TATIYANNA LOPEZ
(Class of ‘22)
LEND A HELPING HAND Let's be there for one another.
Especially during Covid-19, let's support Black lives Here are ways you can support Buying items from black-owned businesses Signing petitions Educate yourself on black issues Spread awareness
Sign a Petition and Spread the Word!
DISCLAIMER: "We can only do so much by signing petitions and clicking on links." Real change is done through CONSTANT work and effort. It "goes beyond the screens of our phones."
Here is a master thread to help educate yourself and to find petitions to sign (Copy and Paste!): (dotherightthing.carrd.co)
MEET THE TEAM!
RESEARCH Jolene Vazquez: Grade 12 Madison Caleb: Grade 12 Daluchi Umeghalu: Grade 12 Dayana Cordero: Grade 12 Audrey Mendez: Grade 12 Mahnoor Sultan: Grade 11
FORMATTING Natalia Marenco: Grade 12 Daisilys Sanchez: Grade 12 Kianna Little: Grade 12