Lecture: Microaggressions

Question 1

What are microaggressions? Who wrote the first important article that brought attention to microagressions?

Answer 1

Derald Wing Sue et. al published in 2007

Microaggressions are: brief, commonplace, daily, intentional or unintentional

Question 2

In a longterm relationship…

Answer 2

“there are no isolated incidents”

all interactions in a relationship have a history behind them - in race relations that concept applies

Microagressions are cumulative ‘dealth by one thousand cuts’ one cut doesn’t matter that much but how about if you had them all over your body

Question 3

What are two forms of microaggressions? Give examples.

Answer 3

Ignorant & tone deaf:

• the names we use (oriental, indian, etc. )
• “where are you REALLY from?”
• ” You’re so articulate!”
• “STEM major?”

Hostile & threatening:

• “China virus”
• “Illegals”
• “Go back to where you came from!”

Question 4

What groups did Sue et all divide microaggressions into?

Answer 4

Microassaults: meant to hurt
- racial slurs, racist symbols
Microinsults: Unintentional
- “do you need extra help?”
- “where are you from?”
Microinvalidation: Denying others’ reality
- racial “gaslighting”: “They didn’t mean it, don’t overreact!”
“They were probably really busy thats why they made you wait long.”

Question 5

What are the consequences of Microaggressions?

Answer 5

• deceptively “small” therefore hard to challenge
• second-guessing self; loss of confidence
• underperformance (Claude Steele study on stereotype threat)
• Anxiety about entering new spaces
• Recovery time/energy

Question 6

What are the types of critiques of microaggressions?

Answer 6

Political:
- “Rampant political correctness”

Academic:
- concept is slippery and subjective

Question 7

In conclusion:

Answer 7

Microaggressions are easy to dismiss

Try “taking the role of the other”