Race & Culture Flashcards
Microaggressions
small everyday interactions - many of them not even conscious or intentional - that convey negative messages to members of a marginalized group
Discrimination
refers to the unfair treatment of people in various categories; based on this treatment, some people are given opportunities and others are denied opportunities because of their race - it constitutes a micro-level source of social inequality, in that it emerges from individual, face-to-face interactions
Microassault
an explicit racial derogation characterized primarily by a verbal or nonverbal attack meant to hurt the intended victim through name-calling, avoidant behavior, or purposeful discriminatory actions
Microinsult
characterized by communications that convey rudeness and insensitivity and demean a person’s racial heritage or identity - they are frequently unknown to the perpetrator
Microinvalidation
characterized by communications that exclude, negate, or nullify the psychological thoughts, feelings, or experiential reality of a person of color
What are some consequences of microaggressions?
- increased levels of racial anger
- mistrust
- loss of self-esteem
- prevent white people from perceiving a different racial reality
- for the victim - a nagging question of whether the microaggression really happened
Dilemma 1: Clash of Racial Realities
- the majority of whites do not view themselves as racist or capable of racist behavior
- minorities perceive whites as racially insensitive, unwilling to share their position of wealth, believing they are superior, needing to control everything, a treating them bad because of their race
Dilemma 2: The Invisibility of Unintentional Expressions of Bias
- evidence exists showing that racial microaggressions become automatic because of culture conditioning and that they may become connected neurologically with the processing of emotions that surround prejudice
- microaggressions are
1) subtle, indirect, and unintentional
2) most likely to emerge when other rationales can be offered for prejudiced behavior
3) occur when white pretend not to notice differences
Dilemma 3: Perceived Minimal Harm of Racial Microaggressions
- contributes to stress, depression, shame, and anger
- negative racial climate, self-doubt, frustration, and isolation
Dilemma 4: The Catch-22 of Responding to Microaggressions
1) Did a microaggression occur?
2) Should I do nothing? Even though this may mean a denial of one’s experiential reality?
3) Or respond with anger and strike back? Or risk being called “oversensitive” or confirming a stereotype?
Referring to someone as “colored”
microassault
discouraging interracial interactions
microassault
deliberately serving a white patron before a person of color
microassault
“I believe the most qualified person should get the job”
microinsult
white teacher does not call on a student of color
microinsult
