Recognizing Racial Microaggressions and Creating an Inclusive Health and Fitness Space

I loved this webinar. A topic that should be taught and talked about more within the profession because having dealt with Microaggressions myself, it has definitely impacted me emotionally and mentally throughout my career. I am happy we are getting to place where we have people advocating for BIPOC individuals and groups and speaking on microaggressions within the workplace, etc. I enjoyed the speaker, he presented the information in detail and to the point, and helped me to find ways to intervene in future microaggressions should they occur. Thank you!

Sometimes I have a hard time understanding why someone of color has to be so sensitive to comments. Yes, I have never walked in their shoes and though I am a persecuted class, you can't always see that because I am white. But I am Jewish and right now in the world, there is a whole lot of hate against us too. I guess I question all racism, is it about not knowing about others. If the trainer knew about Ramadan and how it is a religious holiday and why the client was fasting, it would be better able to talk about it. I remember when I was an instructor at Stanford and the first time a Muslim female came up to me to say she couldn't do class because she was fasting, I said okay, but I don't believe I felt it was fair that she didn't have to do the class and another person had to do class to get a passing grade. I wasn't trying to be insensitive, I just didn't understand the holiday or why anyone would cover her head in this day and age. All of that was because I wasn't educated; I really knew very few Muslim people. I remember working with a trainer who was Muslim and think she was exotic. I didn't know any better; I might have said something offensive and I would not even know it. I feel this may be the truth about microagressions. I don't want to say anything that is offensive, I just need a lot more education on what and why is something offensive. I asked a big guy at the gym if he was a coach because he was always wearing SJSU logo clothes to come to class. Was I being insensitive by asking if he was a coach? Not all stereotypes are correct, but some our stereotypes because they are very close to truths and that is why they became stereo types. "The loud East Coast Jew" may be a stereotype, or the loud Italian family dinner. There are those that don't fill the stereotype, but there are lots that do, but I don't think it is offensive. Though when someone says something negative about Jews or uses the slur "KIKE" I get very angry. I think it is more about fear than anything. I don't understand hating someone for their religion, their history or the color of their skin. I am glad I heard this presentation, because each time I do hear something like this, I will be less ignorant about how others feel.

Many thank to Rory James for all of his knowledge and excellent presentation of an often sensitive topic.

Great content, compelling speaker, and relevant for many individuals!

Rory James is an engaging presenter and brings a lot of valuable information in a short period of time, making it relatable so that it has an impact.