Let’s Talk Microinsults in Sports – Tua Tagovailoa
Jamal T. Jackson, LCSW
1/21/24
On September 21, 2021 I wrote about Lamar Jackson and Microaggressions. Today I want to address a media member’s microinsults towards Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during MEDIA DAY INTERVIEW on January 10, 2024. I reviewed the Transcript of the interview in its entirety to get full context. I want to first give a shout out to Tua Tagovailoa for how he handled the interview as a professional with grace and patience. It is not easy to have the spotlight on you while answering questions. Now that we have addressed the positive aspect of the interview let’s get down to business.
Towards the end of the interview the media member asks the question, “Could you educate me?”. The media member’s question is followed up with his reason for wanting to be educated with, “I got pushback because I referred to you as Hawaiian on social media. You’re Hawaiian? You’re from Hawaii?” While I can understand wanting to be educated, when comments made are culturally insensitive and it is brought to your attention by others, it is my belief that WE ALL are responsible for doing our own work. The interview became even more uncomfortable to watch when the media member gave a half hearted question/directive to “Explain the difference”. Talk about digging your heels into your ignorance. These culturally insensitive errors made by the media member are Microinsults. The definition of microinsults are insensitivities or rudeness communicated verbally/non-verbally about a person’s identity. Additionally, the question/directive veered away from what the interview could have been. It is my understanding that a major responsibility of a media member/journalist is to do research, so the questions that are asked result in fresh, authentic conversation. It seems as though this media member neglected this aspect of his work.
Understanding what Microinsults are is imperative, because it is the first step in growing cultural capacity. The next step in growing our cultural capacity is to in the moment (I know easier said than done), calmly point out when Microinsults occur. Lastly, it would be of societal benefit for all of us to do our own research on cultures outside of our own. Resources for Polynesian culture include the following…
References
Bleacher Report. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz3KpEu12oA. Retrieved January 15, 2024.