Microaggression Essay

Students of color often confront overt and covert “Racial Microaggressions” in higher education settings and these racial experiences develop negative notions about the institution and academic aspirations.

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,

Microaggressions are subtle verbal or nonverbal, intentional or unintentional insults toward a target group or person that may be unconscious or automatic (Neville, Spanierman, & Lewis, 2012). Microaggressions can be expressed in three different forms: microassault, microinsult, and microinvalidation (Neville, Spanierman, & Lewis, 2012). Microassaults are obvious racial derogations. Microassaults are mainly categorized by a violent environmental, nonverbal, or verbal occurrence that is intentionally meant to hurt someone. Microassaults can occur and be portrayed through intentional racial discrimination, avoidant behaviors, or name calling. Microassaults are explicit

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

The powerful, negative effects of frequent—or even chronic—microaggressions have been well documented for various target groups (see Sue, 2010b, for a review). The cumulative impact and stress from the chronic nature of microaggressions can trigger painful psychological stress responses and reduce students’ sense of belonging on campus (Smith et al., 2007). Furthermore, microaggressions have been shown to assail the mental health of recipients (Sue et al., 2008), create a hostile and invalidating campus climate (Solórzano et al., 2000), perpetuate stereotype threat (Steele et al., 2002), create physical health problems (Clark et al., 1999), and lower work productivity and problem solving abilities (Dovidio, 2001; Salvatore and Shelton,

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.

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.

Due to the relative newness of microaggressions as a discussion topic in human social affairs the definition can differ when used in different contexts. Hoover defines microaggressions as “… a subtle conveyance of bias or stereotype...” in “The Comfortable Kid” (106.) Boysen’s article, “Teacher and Student Perceptions of Microaggressions in College Classrooms,” which uses the definition of “subtle slights and insults that are offensive but largely unintentional” for microaggression (123,) is slightly different yet follows the same main points. Contrastingly in “A Critical Analysis of Anti-Discrimination Law and Microaggressions in Academia” microaggressions are avenues used to physically discriminate against minorities that are more the result of a

Coming to college as an adult, we have many expectations and preconceptions of what college will or will not be. The expectations we have can influence our college life for the better or the worse. My experience since starting college has been an interesting one. People have misconceptions about college because they do not know what to expect. After doing some research, I have concluded that there are three major factors that are often misunderstood about college life. The first is the financial aspect of college. Second, is the relationship between the professors and students. Third is time management. These three factors play an important role in why people are afraid to go down the path to college.

The transition from high school to college is a dynamic time in one’s life that parallels the change from childhood to adulthood. Both of these changes are dramatic and, as a result, feelings are difficult to put down into words. A messy combination of emotions fills the heart, surfacing in strange ways. Confident high school seniors go right back to the bottom of the chain when entering college as freshmen. These students start all over, just like entering grade school or high school for the first time. The move up from high school to college signals the switch from dependence to self-sufficiency. From a personal point of view, going through the experience of graduating high school and transferring to a residential college campus at STLCOP, made me realize I was no longer a kid and capable of making my own decisions.

Microaggressions to me are physical, mental, and verbal processes which a person has which does harm either intentionally or not to another. They are the tiny actions, thoughts, and words used in everyday experiences derived from the conscious and subconscious. They often times take the form of sly comments. Some people do it unintentionally just because of their nurture process and education. You cannot put total blame on them because of that. The way to go about it would be to educate that person because we have to give them the benefit of the doubt that they may not know the difference between right and wrong.

For first year students coming straight from high school, college life can either be very exciting or overwhelming depending on how well one prepares for it. Some have the notion that college is fun and is all about partying, while some believe that it is an environment in which they can achieve the ultimate freedom thus escape the stringent rules made by their parents at home. Others look forward to experiencing a different learning environment while being exposed to different cultures and sharing different academic knowledge. Successful assimilation into college life is determined by the student’s capability to transform into the new role of a college student. Numerous students face challenges they have never experienced before which can

Researchers who have been exploring the possible connections between these two variables have primarily studied adolescents. In one such study, conducted by Greene, Way, and Pahl, ethnic minority students were surveyed about the discrimination they perceived from both peers and adults (2006). Over the span of four years, high school students of Asian, Latino, and African-American descent completed questionnaires assessing five characteristics, including self-esteem, and perceived ethnic discrimination by adults and peers (Greene, et al., 2006). The researchers formed six hypotheses for the participants’ responses, including that self-esteem and perceived discrimination would be inversely related; the same hypothesis was formed in Zeiders, Umaña-Taylor, and Derlan’s study (Greene, et al., 2006; 2013). In Greene, et al.’s study, attrition was fairly high, with nearly 40% of

At some point, someone has said that high school will be the best four years of their lives and college gets even better. So with that idea in people’s heads, they come up with their ideal image of the college. They start planning the perfect scenario of what college they will go to and what their roommate will be like. They often try to compare an unrealistic image and turn it into a realistic image, but they are unlike in many ways. Once students step onto the college campus, they will soon face what it is actually like to be in college.When people understand that college is not the perfect movie scene, then they will take advantage of expanding and furthering their education seriously. Going to college is a whole different experience and there is a lot more to it such as the rigorous classes and overwhelming school work, being more independent, and forming new bonds with others.

Throughout my lifetime I have listened to people reflect back on their college experiences and explain how college is supposed to be “the best experience of your life.” The summer after my senior year I use to try and imagine what my first semester was going to be like based on what I had heard people talk about in the past. After my first semester at NC State I realized that I couldn’t fully understand what college was like until I experienced it for myself. My first couple of weeks at Ohio State was rough and really tested my strength (mental and physical). I faced challenges and obstacles that I had never heard about in those past college experience conversations. All of a sudden there was no one to get me out of