Citizens Against Covert Microaggressions (CACM) has issued a statement requesting that all schools, public and private, at all grade levels – from grade school to college – take corrective measures to replace the NCAA-mandated basketball court design.
“We feel that the unrecognized but clearly-evident inclusion of a 25-foot long phallus on NCAA courts sends a bad message to spectators and players alike”, said Jeremy Champignon, CACM Chairperson. “NBA court design uses a less obvious shape in the key. It looks more like roll-on deodorant. While the NCAA design might get the player’s testosterone flowing, it’s an assault on the senses of the spectators, especially women.”
“Microaggressions are all around us. They’re embedded in every conversation. We want to put an end to all microaggressions, not just the blatant ones. But basketball courts, viewed by millions in stadiums and on television is a good place to start”, says Champignon. Microaggressions like this make people feel uncomfortable. They can evoke feelings ranging from “sad” to “mad”. Everyone knows that we are responsible for how others feel.”
According to Derald Wing Sue Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Education at Columbia University,
“Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.”
Champignon says that “At CACM, we feel that if can make people see that their actions make other people feel sad or mad, they’ll be more conscious of what they do. Negatively impacting the feelings of others has caused many of society’s problems. We want to put an end to that.”
Again, according to Dr. Sue,
“In many cases, these hidden messages may invalidate the group identity or experiential reality of target persons, demean them on a personal or group level, communicate they are lesser human beings, suggest they do not belong with the majority group, threaten and intimidate, or relegate them to inferior status and treatment.”
“The mission of CACM is to reeducate people to the fact that we cause the feelings of those around us”, says Champignon. “We want to make other people feel glad, not bad. If we can make other people feel good, the world will be a better place.”
The University of California has published a list of common microaggressions. (Note: The list is posted at http://bit.ly/UC-microaggression-list)
Champignon concludes, “Unfortunately, even a forward-thinking institution like the UOC is unaware of the microaggression they commit against fans and players. Their courts are fully compliant the NCAA guidelines. We want to change all that.”
Jeremy Champignon can reached by email at champignon.cacm@gmail.com
Citizens Against Covert Microaggressions (CACM)
Jeremy Champignon
Jackson
MS
USA
(601) 460-0668
champignon.cacm@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/site/cacmnow/