Awareness of Microaggressions

Several years ago, I lost about 35 lbs. I worked hard. I watched what I ate and exercised regularly. It was a life changing experience for me.  I have a friend who constantly makes comments to me about being “thin and blonde”.  She is tall and dark haired and her body structure was bigger.  When we would go out together for dinner or drinks and were approached by men, she would always assume they were interested in me because I was “thin and blonde”.  She always made these comments in a joking manner but afterward I always felt uncomfortable and more self-conscious about myself. She was committing a microaggression about my physical appearance. She assumed that because I was “thin and blonde” that was “lucky in love”.  When the reality was that I had gone through several bad relationships and my appearance had nothing to do with it.  There were many times when she made comments to me and I didn’t say anything. Eventually, I had enough of feeling bad about myself and told her how her comments were making me feel.  She didn’t realize how her words were impacting me and she made an effort to stop. I think it is important to have an open dialogue with people about microaggressions and how to eliminate them.