Response: Is the weight of microaggressions real or perceived?

I believe that the weight of microaggressions is real. Everyone has been guilty of microaggressions one time or another. Whether you are fully aware or not, the weight of microaggressions is in fact real. While making comments such as “where are you really from” or “are you good at math because you’re Asian?” may come off as a joke because it is so commonly said, the weight of it is real because it is considered something “normal” to say. Although it may seem funny, many people would feel insulted. For example in prep class, a guy sitting down next to another Asian guy, moves away because he “smells like rice”. It may seem like a funny joke to others, however, the victim may feel hurt or even ashamed of their culture. Rice is part of the main diet in many cultures and being commented on that can cause an “ouch moment”. In our debate, the question of “is microaggressions considered okay when it’s to someone of the same race as you” was brought up. I think that where people believe that it’s okay just proves how real microaggressions are. Yet if someone else of a different background than you were to say the same comment, many people would be offended.