Microagression Tutorial
3 types of microaggressions
- microassaults -microinsults -microinvalidations
Latent messages of use of heterosexist language/invalidation of sexual orientation
-heterosexual experience is universal -there is no such thing as being bi-/a-/homo- (etc) sexual
Why might some people deny the severity of microaggressions?
-high psychological distance -high ambiguity surrounding actions, intent, and actual harm -need to preserve ego/self-identity; incompatible political/ideological identity; cognitive distortion/constriction -cultural norms -feelings of powerlessness & injustice themselves
What can be done about microaggressions?
-make the invisible visible -define, recognise, & deconstruct the hidden messages in microaggressions -act appropriately if ever called out
Latent messages of second-class citizen microaggression
-people of colour/women are servants to Whites/males; they couldnt possibly occupy high-status positions
Latent messages of ascription of intelligence, skill, & physical attributes
-people with X identity are less intelligent/skillful etc, or have certain specific abilities
Latent messages of invalidation of illness/disability severity microaggression
-you are not in control of how others perceive you -your struggles are not serious
Latent messages of ascription of blame
-you are the cause of your misfortune -you deserved this
Latent messages of assumption of sexual abnormality/pathology microaggression
-you are too sexual -you are a sexual predator -you are dangerous to straight people
Latent messages of objectification/tokenism
-your appearance is for the enjoyment, fascination, or benefit of others -your defining characteristic is your appearance/ethnicity/disability etc -you do not belong
Latent messages of assumption of abnormality microaggression
-your sexuality/appearance is weird & different -your sexuality/appearance is immoral -you should keep yourself/your displays of affection private because they are uncomforting/offensive
Microassaults generally only occur when perpetrator:
1. loses control 2. feels relatively safe to express normally frowned-upon behaviour
Microagressions
Brief & commonplace daily verbal, behavioural, and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative slights & insults to the target person or group
Latent messages of traditional gender role prejudicing & stereotyping microaggression
Childbearing is a woman's primary purpose, gay men/women should act more masculine/feminine
When a perpetrator is condemned from exhibiting microassault, they usually blame what?
Extraordinary circumstances or external forces
Pathologizing cultural values/communication styles
Notion that the values and communication styles of the dominant/White culture are ideal
Second-Class citizen microagression
Occurs when a target group member receives differential treatment from the power group
Traditional gender role prejudicing & stereotyping microaggression
Occurs when expectations of traditional roles or stereotypes are conveyed
Assumption of abnormality microaggression
Occurs when it is implied that there is something wrong with being LGBTQIA+, with having a disability, with looking a certain way, etc
Objectification/Tokenism
Occurs when people are objectified or treated as tokens
Sexual objectification & exoticisation microagression
Occurs when women or people of colour are treated as though they were objects at others' (usually men's) disposal
Latent messages of myth of meritocracy
People in this marginalised demographic are given unfair benefits because of their identity
Myth of Meritocracy
Statements that assert that race or gender does not play a role in life success
Ascription of intelligence, skill, & physical attributes
When a person is presumed to have certain traits/intelligence based on their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or mental illness
Ascription of Blame
When it is implied that victims of violence, assault, misfortune, prejudice, etc. are at fault for what has happened to them
Latent messages of pathologizing cultural values/communication styles
Your cultural identity is not professional/acceptable, and leave your cultural baggage behind
Latent messages of sexual objectification & exoticisation microaggression
Your primary purpose is to serve/gratify men/others, your body is not yours
Microinsults
communications that convey stereotypes, rudeness and insensitivity and demean a person's racial heritage
Microassaults
conscious, deliberate, and either subtle or explicit verbal or nonverbal derogations of a person's group identity.
Invalidation of illness/disability severity
occurs when illness or disability is misunderstood or trivalised
Assumption of sexual abnormality/pathology
people of colour, people with disabilities, and/or LGBQ+ persons are presumed to be overly sexual, sexual deviants, or likely to commit sexual assault
use of heterosexist language/invalidation of sexual orientation
terms that exclude or degrade LGBQA+ persons