Microaggressions in the prisons
www.workers.org
By Cindy Lou By this time we are all too familiar with the horrific violence and racist oppression that takes place constantly in prisons and jails. But we also note the smaller incidents of disrespect that happen everyday. We call these occurrences “microaggressions,” and their daily manifestation

One example:

“Major, intense joint pain was the play of the day this time. I was shackled with irons around my left foot and wrist cuffs on my right side (must be opposite hand and foot) from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. Around 2:15 a.m. I was in so much pain until I was moaning and groaning — begging the officer to change sides that I was cuffed/shackled on. The back/lower back is the most painful area, and then comes my shoulder blades. I needed relief. I needed to be on my left side but couldn’t roll over, because the wrist cuff had no slack between my wrist and the bed rail. I BEGGED . . . I BEGGED and I BEGGED, and she said no, no; I’M NOT DOING ANYTHING!

“This was the very first time I asked for pain meds that were given to me immediately. Later I learned that the medical staff asked that I be unshackled and no steps were taken to get approval from control.” (from a 70-year-old woman)