Microaggressions

Examining Microaggression Themes and Impacts

Examining Microaggressions Reflection

The purpose of these materials is to have you: identify specific microaggression themes, apply them to your own life and work area and identify the impacts of those microaggressions.

Messages Sent by Microaggressions & Impact of Microaggressions

After reviewing the Microaggressions Examples slides, read the following examples of microaggressions and identify the theme each falls into and the message the microaggression delivers (alternatively, download the worksheet linked at the bottom).

1. While walking through the halls of the chemistry building, a professor approaches a post-doctoral student of color to ask if she/he is lost, making the assumption that the person is not in the right place.
    
2. A store owner following a customer of color around the store
    
3. Raising your voice or speaking slowly when addressing a blind student
    
4. "When I look at you, I don't see color."
    
5. Continuing to mispronounce the names of students after students have corrected the person time and time again. Not willing to listen closely and learn the pronunciation of a non-English name.
    
6. Someone crosses the other side of the street to avoid a person of color
    
7. "There is only one race, the human race."

Adapted from Erika Brooks-Hurst's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Teaching Initiatives

Opportunities for Reflection

• If you have experienced a microaggression, what did you think, feel, and do, when you experienced microaggressions? What were some of the consequences of that?
   
• If you have committed a microaggression, what did you think, feel, and do when you committed microaggressions? What were the consequences of that?
   
• What microaggressions have you witnessed or experienced in your work area (it may be similar to one of the examples or something else)?
   
• What impact do you think these microaggressions have in your work area? What do you think they have on the IHP community?