Microaggressions

One of the blogs I follow is that of David Tuttle, who is the Dean of Students at my Alma Mater Trinity University.  It seems that one student group wanted a speaker to provide another perspective on my least favorite subject - microaggressions.

I have a vague idea of what one is because of one question that is asked of me by Anglo folk in the US when they look at my business card with a middle and last name that is obviously Spanish and ask me, "What country are you from?"

As I understand this, this can be construed as a microaggression.  The rationale behind it being a microagression is that the question is asked out of malice in that a Latino working in some sort of professional capacity could not possibly be from the United States (and how did having to encounter a Latino guy in our precious All Anglo All the Time Enclave happen in the first place?)

As I also understand it, I should call the asker on it and scream that they are nothing less than a complete bigot and afterwards run away and cower into my nearest safe space.

Really?

I just answer the question honestly.  I say, "Texas."

That shuts them up real fast.