Microaggression Research Paper

I have received racial microaggressions from both Caucasians and other minority groups. Unfortunately, I have experienced unintended and intended racial slights because of people’s ignorance as well as a lack of understanding that skin pigmentation does not define one’s ethnicity. I identified as an Afro-Latina because of my family’s birthplace and roots, which trace back to West Africa. When whites and other minorities asked, what is my race/ ethnicity my response is that “I am Afro-Latina.” When they hear my answer, I am confronted with disbelief in their face. Others without asking, touch my hair and refer to it as “good.” In my opinion, it is the daily care and products that produce unhealthy or healthy hair, not your race or ethnic origin. Additional racial micro-aggressive remarks include, “No, where are you really from?”, “What are you?”, “How come you speak Spanish?”, and “It is impossible for you to be Central American because you are too dark.” My response to the last statement is, “Black people created humanity, and because of that reason it is possible for us to live in the world’s most remote

In a study that was reviewed by Deitch and her colleagues (2003), blacks were interviewed at work about whether the felt they were being discriminated. Most participants had difficulty answering because they were not sure whether discrimination was linked to their race or different factors like gender. Such inconclusive research only adds to the haziness of work related issues defined as ones of “racial discrimination” (Deitch, Barsky, Butz, Chan, Brief & Bradley).

I have read and fully understand the article Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life: the Implications for Clinical Practice. However, I must admit the article does not sit well with me and I have learned I have been a microaggressor since my early days; specifically, I have offered microinsults many times over without even realizing it. Through the years, I have thought of myself as one who consciously believes in equal rights for “all”; not just the American people, but people of all races across the entire globe. Granted, I have never

This paper serves as a personal reflection of the implication of racial microaggressions in daily life. Three journal articles and a book chapter are explored in an effort to obtain a greater understanding of the effects of racial microaggressions experienced by people of color and to bring light to how often racial microaggressions are committed by White Americans without notice or accompanied by attempts to explain away the offenses. The sources used provide examples of obvious acts of discrimination as well as subtle microaggressions which are often unconsciously or naively perpetrated and go on to offer recommendations for professional counselors in order to both provide a framework for helping clients of color to cope with encounters of microaggressions and highlight the need of awareness of possible racial microaggressions present during counselor-client interactions which may result in negative impacts on the therapeutic process. Racial microaggressions are broken down into subcategories of microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations, providing a deeper explanation of my own experiences with such discriminatory actions. This ultimately leads to a decision of continuation of training with a necessary focus on increasing mindfulness and field experiences in respect to the subject of racial microaggressive behaviors and attitudes.

Microaggressions manifest in many ways such as, “You’re lucky that you're black”, “Don’t you wish you were white”, and “What are you”. These comments can be very insulting to a person. “Don’t you wish you were white” can be very insulting to an African American or Hispanic person. In other words, this example illustrates that the colored person is viewed down upon since they are not white. An African American is viewed down because they were slaves and since they are not white, whites are seen as rich and powerful. Sometimes a simple insult like, “You’re smart,” can offend a person without you knowing it. When someone says, “You’re smart,” people can start questioning themselves about their abilities and intelligence, but there is a way to respond.

An example of a microassault would be intentionally serving a Caucasian family at a restaurant first before serving an African American family (Neville, Spanierman, & Lewis, 2012). Microinsults are depicted by communications that express insensitivity and rudeness. They also disgrace an individual’s racial heritage. Microinsults comprise of insensitive comments that are made on the basis of a range of racial assumptions about citizenship, intelligence, criminality, and cultural values and aesthetics. While microinsults are subtle insults that are unknown to the perpetrator, they communicate a hidden insulting message to the recipient. The context of what is communicated is very important. Microinsults can be communicated nonverbally. An example of a microinsult would be when an employee asking a coworker of color how they got their job, suggesting that they only got the job because they needed a minority in the group (Neville, Spanierman, & Lewis, 2012). The last form of microaggressions, microinvalidation are communications that negate or minimize the racialized experiences of people of

Microaggression is a form of negative communication in which the speaker is targeting a certain group of people. This could be the female gender, people of a different race, or lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBTs). The speakers behave, talk, or act in manners belittling others. For example, when men whistle or laugh as a woman passes by, they are insinuating that the body of that woman is used to give them entertainment. Similarly, an indigenous American who tells a customer not to ‘Jew’ intends to communicate that the customer should not behave stingily as Jews do. Although this form of behavior is seen as a pure form of an act of hatred, psychologists believe that there is a connection between personality and microaggressions. It is a mental condition reflecting how the perpetrators view the world in four ways; dominance/inferiority,

Both micro-aggressions and everyday racism acknowledge the heart of language and words; or perhaps more accurately the power of language/words and the language/words of power. Contemporary racism is rarely directly expressed or openly tolerated since bigots in Canada and the United States know better than to spout racist drivel unless, of course, they yearn for some kind of social death

Chapter one covers the history and definition of racism. It also covers different pathways of racism and how racism is manifested. Within this chapter the impact of racism of people of color is discussed and its effects, such as depression. Symptoms beyond the mental and physical aspects are also discussed such as incarceration.

So why is microagression causing lower work productive? It’s because of the psychological affects that have been caused by micro aggression. Counseling psychologist, Derald Sue, states that, “Space does not allow me to elaborate the harmful impact of racial micro aggressions, but I summarize what the research literature reveals. Although they

In the society we know today, we often believe that it has evolved above racism and all have grown to look past race and see someone only as the person they are. However, in a society where racist messages have institutionalized themselves to the underlying morals of its inhabitants, there is no logic in believing in this archetype of society. Existing since the 1970s when coined by Chester M. Pierce, the term micoaggressions went through serious refining at the hands of Derald Wing Sue, Ph.D., professor of counseling psychology at Colombia University. He has solidified the definition of microaggressions as “…brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that

Microaggressions are committed constantly, among numerous people without them realizing it. I must say I am completely guilty of also playing part in this act. These acts are done constantly and no one understands the affects it has on people. Miller and Garran (2008) states, “Racial microaggressions are similar to aversive racism. They are “subtle, stunning, often automatic,” verbal and nonverbal putdowns and social assaults that wound people of color unbeknownst to the perpetrator” (p.97). This is what produces pain and anger inside countless of people. Many individuals need professional help in order to surpass the neglect they have been summited to.

You may not know any bigots, you think “I don’t hate black people, so I’m not racist”, but you benefit from racism. There are certain privileges and opportunities you have that you do not even realize because you have not been deprived in certain ways. Racism, institutional and otherwise, does not always manifest itself in a way that makes it readily identifiable to onlookers, victims, or perpetrators; it is not always the outward aggression typically associated with being a hate crime. Racial microaggressions are a type of perceived racism. They are more subtle and ambiguous than the more hostile or overt expressions of racism, such as racial discrimination (CITE). Microaggressions are everyday verbal, visual, or environmental

This paper will discuss the racial microaggression how it has influenced the United States in the past decade. Then, describe the racial microaggression influence that affects the individual view. Next describe the community-level influence, impact of racial microaggression, and racial stereotypes are a major problem in our society. Then, discuss the research on racial microaggression is it a social condition that can arise as a result of the conformity of individuals within a society. Also, explain conformity, social, condition, and socially as well as, the attitudes and beliefs, norms, and implicit behaviors. However, discuss the culture in society along with the dynamics of subtle racial microaggression. Also, discuss the family structure facing racial microaggression. Furthermore, discuss the ethnic, racial microaggression with the racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence of microaggression. For instance, discuss the different racial and ethnic group are unequal in power, resources, prestige, and presumed worth.

Racial Microaggression can be lead back to our country's heinous history of slavery. One writer explains a situation when she was waiting to board the New York City subway, as the doors open a “young white male” exited the train wearing a shirt that said “If we had known it was going to be this much trouble, we would have picked the cotton ourselves.” The writer then says “As a young black woman, you can imagine my total offense to his shirt and the message he sent to anybody and everybody who could read.” Another writer explains how she who is of color and her mother who is white were at Target. Her mother was approached by a white male “as if I was trying to take something from her”. In addition to slavery many more common practices have