Microacressiveness, It's Not Okay.

  Microagression, not every one is aware of it. Once they learn of it though, they definitely begin to wonder if they've ever participated in it. What is microagression? Perfect example is the seemingly innocent comments made to or about some one, who is not a member of your own background, biased on a previously conceived idea about that individual's background. Much of the time, the person participating in microagression has no idea they are doing so because of how subtle they can be. Unfortunately, there is more than one classification of microagression. In fact, there are three kinds of them.
     The first kinds are referred to as microassults. These are the most vicious kinds of microagressions. These are the ones that are intentional and conscious. They take form in an overbearing parent who won't allow their children to date outside of their race. The blatant wearing of swastikas or other supremest groups symbolism. The use of racial slurs or derogatory language referring to one's race. (You know, like the name calling that isn't politically correct.)
    The second kinds are called microinsults. This kind is not as blatantly obvious as microassults. These are the situations in which the communications are verbal, nonverbal, and environmental. These communications, subtle as they may be, manage to be rude, insensitive and demeaning to a person's racial heritage or identity.
    Finally, the third kinds are known as microinvalidations. These are the microagressions that seem to be, at least to me that is, the most unintended kinds. They are the communications that subtly exclude the thoughts, feelings or personal experiences of a person.
In short, please try to be aware of how your words may come across to other people, because you, yes you, may be participating in these kinds of microagressions too.

            I'm an artist. For me, creating things is the best way to express my thoughts and imagination. When I first started my college career, I quickly realized that if I could make art everyday for the rest of my life, I would be happy. For me, making art is not just making pretty pictures to entertain the observer. No. It's much more than that. 

           Actually, art making is a very rhetorical process where lines, color, shape and form become the words that convey a well thought out message. In my art class this semester, professor Marisol Rendon is always encouraging us to wonder. This kind of wondering is our way of thinking academically about the world around us and how we can express our thoughts back to the world. 

          The last assignment she gave us, she wanted us to find a natural phenomenon or occurrence that we could learn about as our reference to make our art piece. After some research, checking out a book from the library, wondering and dreaming, I chose to refer to the cochela, or the inner ear. I was fascinated by the idea that something so small is responsible for our hearing and our balance. I decided to recreate this with felt, sewing, pipe cleaners and paper napkins on a canvas. I call it, How We Hear.