The Providence Day community is no stranger to the topic. Various student affinity groups, such as Students Promoting Empowerment and Knowledge (SPEAK), the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and the Black Student Union (BSU), have given informative presentations during Upper School assembly. They define a microaggression as “an insult directed at a part of someone’s identity that, over time, can add up to a serious problem.”
However, this school year, these clubs decided to present their message on a more direct and personal level.
David Conlin, a senior who came out as gay during his junior year, is one of the students spearheading this campaign. Conlin’s interest in this subject stems from his personal experience. “I’m interested because, being gay on campus, the way we use language has really affected me growing up. I’ve gone here for thirteen years.” Conlin added, “hearing ‘gay’ being misused and the word ‘f**’ changed the way I perceive myself.”
With the knowledge of how certain words have affected his own identity, Conlin teamed up with other SPEAK, BSU and GSA leaders to advocate for those who have felt the same way.
In a survey sent out to the Upper School by the group leaders, students were given the opportunity to answer a couple of questions about the topic. The first inquired if the student had experienced a microaggression at PD. The second asked for a specific example or description of a moment in which this occurred.
The original purpose of the survey was to collect stories from students about their experiences with microaggression, but the results were much more informative. The responses revealed the varying and often opposing sentiments that the student body shows towards this issue.
Around half of the respondents recorded having received, overheard, or said a microaggression.
David explains that "some people had really personal things they needed to share." Students reported the word ‘gay’ being misused in a negative connotation. Another described disparaging comments to a Mexican student about crossing the border. Another student was told he or she should not play basketball because he or she is white. Another reported a black student being asked why he or she couldn’t dance, implying that the student should be able to because of racial stereotype. Some respondents begged for more help and others had given up on finding a resolution.
However, not all students agree that ‘microaggressions,’ exist or are a real issue.
A couple of the respondents commented that microaggression is not a prominent issue and that different problems facing the community demand more attention.
Conlin recognizes why others hold various opinions. “A lot of people, too, were fundamentally opposed to the idea of a microaggression, which is a concern I totally understand.”
However, not all of the comments showed the same level of respect. A couple of students appeared to mock the idea of a ‘microaggression,’ signaling that they do not believe in the issue. A few others commented that the affinity clubs and their work are pointless. Despite trying to understand their viewpoints, Conlin found these responses “hard to read.”
Conlin knows that a lot of students are tired of hearing buzz words, such as “diversity” and ‘community,’ during assembly. “Some people have a negative reaction right away; they hear ‘diversity’ and it feels like something being forced on them.”
Conlin hopes that the community understands that the focus on microaggressions is entirely student-led. Referring to himself and his peers who drive this initiative, Conlin states, "we're the ones who care," and that “we can’t sit down with everyone,” to discuss the topic, but they wish they could.
Conlin understands that core differences exist within the Providence Day community and that “we’re not always successful at discussing those differences.” However, he hopes that whether or not they believe microaggression is an issue, people will consider what their words mean to others in the future.
David Conlin, leader of SPEAK. Photo by Tracy Laughlin.
“Some people had really personal things they needed to share.”
~ David Conlin
“We’re the ones who care.”
~ David Conlin
Results of the survey sent out by SPEAK, GSA, and BSU showing an almost 50/50 reponse. Infographic by Tracy Laughlin.
Recently, the leaders of affinity groups at Providence Day School traveled around to Upper School advisees speaking to students and faculty about microaggression.
The Charger addresses students' reactions to the controversial topic of "microaggresion" and its presence on campus.
Microaggression: a controversial topic on campus
By Tracy Laughlin
Leaders of PD affinithy groups meet during the summer to discuss plans for the school year ahead. Photo by Lucy Stickler.
The Charger, March 2017
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