Microaggressions: The Silent Oppressor

Incidents as the one illustrated in the above video are more common than you might think. This video illustrates how people of color may be subject to microaggressions in their everyday lived experiences. The topic of Microaggressions (the newest diversity buzz word) has received a great deal of media attention in the last few years. I have no interest in continuing the “buzz” about microaggressions but do hope to create awareness about this silent oppressor. For those of you who have never heard of this term- microaggressions (a term introduced in the 1970’s by psychiatrist Chester Pierce and made popular recently through the work of Dr. Derald Wing Sue) are considered to be a subtle form of discrimination directed at a member of specific social identity groups.
 

According to Sue, microaggressions are brief and commonplace verbal behaviors and messages whether intentional or unintentional that communicate hostile, derogatory slights and insults that potentially have harmful or unpleasant psychological impact on the targeted person or group. Microaggressions are usually experienced by marginalized and subordinate identity groups. Most of the research on microaggressions focuses on race and how people of color are oppressed through these indirect verbal slights.  

Because racial microaggressions are often unintentional- we are not always aware that we are perpetrators of this form of discrimination. The people most unaware and oblivious are those who are considered to be in the racial majority.  Below are a few examples of common racial microaggressions and explanations of why they may be oppressive: 

•  A person of color being told that their English is very good for a foreigner.

This assumes that they are a foreigner and not American when they may have been born in the U.S.

• Singling people out because of their ethnic/racial background (Asking an African American how African Americans feel about President Obama being re-elected ).

This implies that racial/ethnic groups are homogenous and not heterogeneous

• A teacher shortening or Anglicizing a student’s name because it is too hard to pronounce or continuing to mispronounce someone’s name after they have corrected you time and time again.

   This illustrates that different is deficient- that racialized others must strive to adhere to the White     American norm. This may cause the individual to question or be ashamed of their ethnic identity.

• Making assumptions or generalizing someone’s ethnic/racial group. (Assuming that all Arabs are Muslim or that all Asians are good at math)

This lumps people of the same ethnic/racial background into one category- failing to see individual differences and the complexities of identity.

• Telling racialized individuals that they are a “credit to their race.”

This implies that other members of their race/group are generally not as capable as the dominant racial group.

• Asking non-White individuals where they are really from when they tell you they are American.

This implies that they are not truly U.S. American and/or that to be a U.S. American one needs to be White/Caucasian/European American. 

To see more examples of racial microaggressions, check out this article which displays the work of a Fordham student who recently photographed fellow students who shared microaggressions that they have personally been victim to. 

Growing up as a female of color, I faced microaggressions throughout my entire life. Just yesterday I was on a phone interview with someone who was impressed that I did not have an accent and complimented me for my “great English skills.” I constantly have people trying to change my name from Cindu to Cindy- this has happened since I was a preschool student and happened just last week when the secretary at my doctor's office questioned the spelling of my name asking me if I was sure that there was a “u” and not a “y” at the end of my name as if I was confused about my own name!  My own mother’s name was shortened to “Tammy” from “Thankamma” by her boss when she worked as a nurse in the mid 70’s because her name was too long and causing “issues” because employees had a hard time pronouncing it.  To this day, she goes by “Tammy” when she is around her White American peers. In graduate school I had a professor who asked me if it was true that I had fifteen siblings. When I asked him why he would ask such as question he told me that he watched the Simpson’s and Apu (The Indian character) had multiple children so he thought I also probably had a plethora of siblings. Yes- this was my graduate school professor!!!  I can go on and on- but I think you get the point.

Microaggressions are not limited to race. In fact, all marginalized social identities are subject to microaggressions. Unfortunately limited discussion has been generated about non-racial microaggressions.  Many times these behaviors and verbal messages have been so normalized in society that we don’t think twice about being microaggressive. The following examples illustrate some non-racial microaggressions: 

•  Using the term “that’s so gay”

This implies that “gay” is synonymous with being something less. 

•    Treating someone with one physical disability as if they have other disabilities (speaking very loud to someone who is blind)

This suggests that they have more disabilities than they do and suggests that their disability defines them.

•   Categorizing assertive females negatively when in the same instance you would praise an assertive male.

This implies that females should be passive and adhere to traditional stereotypical gender roles.

• Treating gay and lesbian social behavior differently than you would treat heterosexual behaviors. (being okay with a heterosexual couple holding hands or showing affection but not okay with a homosexual couple doing the same)

This re-centers that heterosexuals are normal while homosexuals are not normal and are deficient.

• Assuming that all veterans suffer from PTSD and need to take advantage of counseling.

This implies that because they are a veteran they have suffered trauma or have a mental illness

The thing with microaggressions is that they are often invisible, unintentional, and subtle in nature.  Perpetrators of microaggressions are not always aware that they are committing the microaggression. I have no hard feelings towards the microaggressors I have encountered throughout my life because I know that they mostly likely were unaware that they were being microaggressive or offensive.  One point I’d like to stress is that microaggressors are not just limited to people of dominant social identity groups (White, Straight, Able-bodied, Male, upper class, etc.)  People in subordinate identity groups (People of Color, LGBTQ folks, Female, lower class, etc.) are also likely to be microaggressors. I know that I certainly am guilty of using microaggressive language.  If you can also admit to being microaggressive in the past-don’t feel guilty. Feel empowered to help create change. Be a change agent and educate yourself and create awareness within your families and communities. Go beyond learning about this silent oppressor and take action so that you can help encourage a welcoming and inclusive society that promotes equality and justice for all.  You can do so by: 

• Becoming aware of your own personal biases and about other racial or cultural groups.

• Be willing to accept the possibility that you may have committed a microaggression.

•  Be accountable for it, and take actions to overcome your biases.

•  Hold yourself accountable for your actions and avoid labeling your friends as being “sensitive” or “pulling the race card out” when they tell you that your remarks were offensive.

• Point out microaggressive language when you hear it and create awareness among  your friends and family when they use microaggressions in your presence.

 “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King Jr.