She Gets It

Oh wow, the professor for my group counseling said "oppression" and "microagressions" in one sentence. These words were directed to educate the class about the necessity and value for groups that may be based on race or ethnicity because of the past and present experience of racial oppression and microagressions. What is remarkable is that she as a White straight woman said it with such ease and no hesitation.

SHE. GETS. IT.

Through her words and attitude, she fully embodied what it meant to be an ally for those of us are in the numerical minority and marginalized due to identity, status and/or circumstances. My sense of her is that she spent time and effort to self-educate, to experience and to make connections with people of many backgrounds to inform her understanding and increase her empathy. Also, I can imagine that her experiences as an older woman in our sexist (still!) and youth-obsessed society contributes to her ability to advocate and come along side those who experience the many -isms in the US American society. All I can say is how refreshing it is to encounter faculty like herself and how affirmed I felt being in last night's class.

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