The Implication Of Racial Microaggressions

Throughout the beginning of time, the human race has always faced an infinite number of tribulations and setbacks, but it’s our unwavering faith that drives us past these obstacles. Through the aura in today’s society, it seems that now, more than ever, is one of these times where humans are facing yet another hurdle. However, I believe that our love and dignity will keep us together. The breakthrough that I project will happen in the near future is that we as humans will drop racial indifferences and come together for peace.

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

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.

To effectively lessen the effects of lifelong racism and discrimination, Hays & Erford (2014) recommends a strength-based approach, with the counselor focusing on the individual and family capacities. Focusing on the client’s positive attributes and favorable cultural norms can encourage one to become more resilient (Vaterlaus, Skogrand, & Chaney, 2015). Furthermore, applying counseling skills such as unconditional positive regard, empathy, consistency, focusing on the client, and providing a supportive environment can all help the therapeutic relationship (Hays & Erford, 2014). Additionally, making the counselor/client relationship equal will also allow the client to feel more comfortable, may dispel the mistrust of counseling prominent in African American culture (Hays & Erford, 2014). Finally, acknowledging the racial differences with the client could encourage them to discuss the racism and discrimination they may have experienced (Hays & Erford, 2014).

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

When one is exposed on a daily basis to racial micro assalut it has psychological consequences. In a study examining harassement in the workplace conducted in four different facilites minority women were significantly

Teaching in racially diverse classrooms often leaves educators feeling uncertain about how to proceed and how to respond to historically marginalized students. There is pressure to acknowledge and accept students of color with different perspectives, to diversify the syllabi, be more aware of classroom dynamics, and pay attention to how students of color experience the learning process.

Justin Simien once said, "Unfortunately 'post racism ' is also a myth, like unicorns and black people who survives to the end of horror movies." In other words post racism doesn't exist when white people and those of privilege can sit on the backs of hard working Americans especially of color. Where microaggressions such as micro-insult and microinvalidation still occurs at extreme rates especially in educational settings. Young children of color are exposed to high rates of microinvalidation without seeing any forms of it slowing down or stopping. Whether their teacher doesn't think they are smart enough or kids picking at the child because the color of their skin or accent. Students who have never dealt with the "other" tend to pick up their prejudice behavior from their parents and teachers surrounding them, creating a cycle for each generation. Microaggressions has unfortunately shaped my everyday life through the systemic educational system that reinforces white privilege, as well as, male dominance.

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.

Over the year?s minorities have been treated differently in America. There was a point in time when people did not understand people of color and even made assumptions about them. Because of this systemic factors have been established both in the mental health and education system. Counselors had their own perception

People react with silence when encountered with negative comments, especially racist comments, intentionally or unintentionally. Claudia Rankine's book Citizen: An American Lyric incorporates Rankine’s experience with microaggressions as well as her thoughts on how racism affects black Americans. In 1970, Chester M. Pierce coined the term microaggression to describe daily racist insults. Pierce created this term after regularly witnessing incidents where non-black Americans assaulted black Americans with these subtle yet hurtful racist comments. Citizen serves as a critique reflecting the daily racism and how American society treats black individuals. American society treats black individuals as animals or objects and not as people or citizens.

Furthermore, the conceptual and methodological issues that remain to be addressed in the following: what concept of racial microaggression, why do racial microaggressions matter, and how can racial microaggression be better studied. With what concept of racial microaggression is micro-assaults which are more akin to conventional racism, they are conscious. While, they are explicit racial or derogatory actions that are intended to hurt. Whereas, the micro-insult is an unconscious communication that demeans a person from a minority group. Next, microinvalidation is where a white individual asserting to minorities that they do not see color or that we are all human beings. Although, racial microaggression may matter because they provide a framework for people of color to name the pain caused by the everyday racism so that it cannot be dismissed.

“Jolen, do you know how to play basketball?”, “Are you a rapper?”, “You speak so articulate.” These are the most common remarks I hear from individuals at the University of California, Los Angeles. In addition, I notice that everytime I walk down bruin walk, individuals move extremely fast to move out of the way as I am approaching. I also receive many stereotypes about being “a light skin boy.” In many cases, individuals will state that I am acting “light skin,” implying that I am boogey and snobby. When I first entered this school, I did not take microaggressions very kindly. Often times I would retaliate with anger. As I began to learn some of these racist ideals are internally programmed in the minds of my white counterparts, I quickly