Microaggressions - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Microaggressions as Bullying

*The everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostility, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership (Sue, 2010, p.3). Impact is more important than intent.Sue, D.W. (Ed.). (2010). Microaggressions and marginality: Manifestation, dynamics, and impact. Hoboken: Wiley.Slide2

Such MICROAGGRESSIONS….

repetitive and ongoingcreate discomfort, stress, traumareflect the active manifestation of oppressive world views that create, foster, and enforce marginalizationcan occur through imposition or deprivationmanifest on a continuum from direct/concrete to symbolic or psychological, and unintentional, indirect, and subtlepower lies in their invisibility to the perpetrators and oftentimes the recipientsSlide3

Deliverers….

I do believe that people experience themselves as moral, good, decent, well-intentioned human beings, who may not be conscious of their hidden biases, prejudices, and discriminatory behavior.I also believe that these same people are guilty of enacting microaggressions and should be held accountable to unlearning and reflecting on how to self-monitor the enactment of microaggressions. Slide4

Common microaggressions

Black couple is seated next to the kitchen in a restaurantSpeaking loudly or slowly to someone with an accentAssertive female is called a bitchUse of word lame or retardEmphasized friendlinessEffeminate man is assumed to be gayAssuming that all Asian students will get good gradesSchool lacks a gay-straight allianceTransgender people are not entitled to the same medical benefits for their needs

Woman wearing a stethoscope is assumed to be a nurseAssuming that a body which is socially non-conforming is unhealthy or poorAssuming that people with disabilities are asexual or desexualized

Helping a blind person across a street

Assuming someone is a lesbian because she plays softball or has short hairSlide5

Breaking down MASlide6

Do now…

In groups of 3 discuss the following: Task 1Discuss a microaggression that has been enacted against you.Conjecture a dominant story/prejudice that was behind the microaggression.How did you feel as a result? What was the impact?What do you wish you could tell the person now who perpetuated the microaggression?Task 2Name a microaggression

that you enacted against someone else.What dominant story/prejudice was behind the microaggression

?

How did you

think the person felt who received the

microaggression

?

What do you wish you could tell the person now

against whom you enacted the

microaggression

?Slide7

Deliverers arrive at these “normalized”

microaggressions because they:Have bought into a stereotypeAllow the “norm” to construct beliefsHaven’t unpacked the beliefs or how they are reinforcedFear being shamed or rebukedDon’t necessarily care about the victim or the consequence(s)Slide8

Messages may:I

nvalidate the group identity or experiential reality of target persons;Demean them on a personal or group level, communicate that they are lesser human beings;Suggest they do not belong with the majority group, threaten and intimidate;Relegate them to inferior status and treatment;Force them into a cognitive overload.Slide9

Receivers of

Microaggressions- Are forced to sustain learned or detached tolerance to buffer one’s self against the countless microaggressions experienced throughout a typical day (school);Placate others by representing themselves in incomplete or false ways that they believe will be seen as socially acceptable. Such false fronts or defensive strategies are emotionally and cognitively exhausting and difficult;Imprints them with emotional (C-PTSD) and sometimes physical scars that can last a lifetime;Puts

them at risk for health-related problems;Can impact work/athletic concentration “FLOW” and problem solving abilities.

Consequences: Emotional, Psychological and Physical Trauma