Understanding & Addressing Microaggressions

Christina A. Crawford

Associate Director for Science & Engineering, Rice Office of STEM Engagement

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Urban Education Ph.D Student, University of Houston

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Essential Questions

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• What is or is not a microaggression?

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• What are different forms of microaggressions?
• What are signs someone has suffered a microaggression?

Understanding Microaggressions

Addressing Microaggressions

• How can individuals not commit microaggressions?
• What can be done if a microaggression is committed?
• How can microaggressions be prevented?

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Let’s Examine 2 Cases...

Case A

A white, male engineering professor says to a colleague, “Someone mistook me for a security guard.”

A colleague asks, “How did that make you feel?”

He responds, “Fine. It was funny.”

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Case B

An African-American, male, engineering professor says, “Someone mistook me for a security guard.”

A colleague asks, “How did that make you feel?”

He responds, “I am so sick of it. No one ever sees me, or people who look like me, as a professional with a degree.”

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In which cAse has a microaggression been experienced?

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ⓘ Start presenting to display the poll results on this slide.

In which case has a microaggression been experienced?

The Cases

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B

• the white engineering professor’s feelings were not hurt
• the incident did not relate to an aspect of his identity
• as a member of dominant group it may be easier to dismiss the event as a “one-off”

Not A Microaggression

Microaggression

• the African-American male did feels hurt
• the perception is that the event would not have occurred if he was not an African-American male
• case alluded to a pattern

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Perceptions of Reality

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https://well-schooled.com/2019/09/impact-vs-intention/

What are Microaggressions?

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Marginalized Groups

race

class

gender

sexuality

disability status

role/position

religion

Microaggressions are subtle and sometimes intentional, physical, verbal, or nullify acts against individuals of marginalized groups (Sue et al., 2008).

“Death By a Thousand Cuts”

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What are the 3 different forms of Microaggression?

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15 minutes

https://e82bea60.optimalworkshop.com/optimalsort/8k533ka2

Three Forms of Microaggressions

Microassaults

The use of a derogatory term or action that is aimed explicitly to degrade a person's identity.

Microinsults

An unintentional idea or statement that conveys disrespect and insensitivity towards a person's identity.

Microinvalidations

The rejection or denial of a person's thoughts or feelings because of their identity and experiences.

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(Sue et al., 2007)

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ⓘ Start presenting to display the poll results on this slide.

Based on our discussion thus far, what may be a sign a Microaggression has occurred?

Signs of Microaggression

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Identity Connection

Slight would not accord the same to someone of a different societal, professional, or identity group

Emotional Response

Hurt, angry, shocked, shame, resigned, poor grades, withdrawal

Consumed with the Event

Long-term reflections, unsure if they are making too much of it, not sure if they should bring it up

I am Guilty of Microaggressions

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SO what do we do?

Can microaggressions be avoided or prevented, how?

How can the effects of microaggressions be reduced?

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10 minutes

Addressing Microaggressions

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Addressing Microaggressions

Systematic

• Create race conscious counselors, advisors, mentors and programs to address racial battle fatigue and racial microaggressions

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• Limit emphasis on standardized testing to demote the idea of hierarchical learning experiences

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• Increase value on outreach and DEI efforts in the tenure promotion process

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• Stop “fix” them programs

Individual

• Be vigilant of your own biases and fears

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• Seek out interaction with people who differ from you

• Call them out

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• Don't be defensive & apologize

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• Be open to discussing your own attitudes and biases and how they might have hurt others or in some sense revealed bias on your part.

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• Actively stand against all forms of bias and discrimination and White fragility

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Reduce the prolonged health effects

• Mental health issues (Nadal, Griffin, Wong, Hamit, & Rasmus, 2012)
• depression
• stress
• negative affect
• belongingness in STEM

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• Physical health issues (Nadal, Griffin, Wong, Davidoff, & Davis, 2012)
• pain
• fatigue

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Essential TakeawayS

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Microaggressions are brief verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative slights & and insults which have a prolonged mental and physical health impact on individuals of marginalized groups.

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The elimination of microaggressions will only occur due activity standing for change within ourselves and institutional policies.

https://www.wihe.com/article-details/162/how-to-stop-internalizing-microaggressions/

Thank You!

To Learn More

Guide to Responding

To Discuss More cc45@rice.edu

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CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, and infographics & images by Freepik and illustrations by Stories

References

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Anderson, M. R., & Young, K. S. (2020). Fix your climate: A practical guide to reducing microaggressions, microbullying, and bullying in the academic workplace. Greenwood Village, CO: Academic Impressions.

Nadal, K. L. (2014). A Guide to Responding to Microaggressions. Retrieved 2020, from https://ncwwi.org/index.php/resourcemenu/resource-library/inclusivity-racial-equity/cultural-responsiveness/1532-a-guide-to-responding-to-microaggressions/file

Nadal, K.L, Griffin, K.E., Wong, Y., Davidoff, K., & Davis, L. (2012). The impact of racial microaggressions on physical health and functioning. Manuscript under review.

Nadal, K.L., Griffin, K.E., Wong, Y., Hamit, S., & Rasmus, M. (2012). Racial microaggressions and mental health: Counseling clients of color. Manuscript under review.

Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., & Holder, A. (2008). Racial microaggressions in the life experience of Black Americans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(3), 329. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.39.3.329

Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., Torino, G. C., Bucceri, J. M., Holder, A., Nadal, K. L., & Esquilin, M. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for clinical practice. American Psychologist, 62(4), 271. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.62.4.271

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