EVERFI and Peter Lake - The Future of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Manifestation
1. Shelbi Hale Binghamton University The Manifestation of Microaggressions on Students in Higher Education
2. Table of Contents Discrimination, defined Discrimination in the Pre-Civil Rights Era Modern Day Discrimination Racial Microaggressions Multiracial Microaggressions Microaggressions experienced by International students Gender Microaggressions Other forms of Microaggressions Religious Microaggressions Serious Consequences for Minority Students Solutions Video
5. Modern Day Discrimination “Individuals who believe in equality and embrace democratic ideals may continue to harbor nonconscious racist attitudes and beliefs toward people of color”1 We are not “hate mongers” or “racists,” but we have inherited the racial biases of our forebears2 1-2Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. p. 143, 146
Racial prejudice and discrimination was manifest in violent hate crimesMore subtle forms like refusing to rent and apartment or sell a house to a black coupleRacism was in the institutional policies, practices, and structures of businesses, schools, law enforcement agencies, and other organizationsSuperiority of the White Western European way-individualism, Protestant work ethic, capitalism, Christianity, English, European physical features were all favored, while physical characteristics like dark complexion, black hair, brown eyes, non-Christian religions, collectivism, and speaking with an accent were seen as less desirable by society
Over many decades, the old-fashioned forms of racism diminshed and seemed to have disappearedRace scholars believe that racism has not disappeared but “morphed into a highly disguised, invisible, and subtle form that lies outside conscious awareness”Because most people experience themselves as good, moral, and decent human beings, conscious awareness of their hidden biases, prejudices, and discriminatory behaviors threatens their self-image"subtle, stunning, often automatic, and non-verbal exchanges which are 'put downs'" that are delivered through “dismissive looks, gestures and tones”
suggest that Af/Amscannot maintain a decent or professional appearance if they wear natural hair, that their hair is something abnormal that needs fixing, and that their appearance is deviant in comparison with the white default. Kinky, nappy hair is ugly and insulting. And of course, black-looking hair is “bad hair” and white-looking hair is “good hair.”
1st message: you are unintelligible and unintelligent2nd message: You are unnoticeable and not part of our group
implication that these are things unique to Mexico. But America does not lack drug gangs, kidnappings, unemployment, poverty, or even swine flu.
Gender microaggressions are brief and commonplace daily verbal or behavioral indignities, both intentional and unintentional, communicating hostile, derogatory, or negative gender slights toward womenIn a 2008 New York Times piece, Gloria Steinem argues that “Gender is probably the most restricting force in American life.”For example, women must understand the thinking and mindset of men in order to advance in certain industries, while the same is not required of men.While men are valued for assertiveness, as sign of leadership, women with these traits are “bitchy”Example of environmental microaggressions is men displaying racy pictures. This is common and occurs environmentally. When men do this it contributes to the sexual objectification of women. The hidden message that men may not realize they’re sending is that “women’s bodies are not their own and they exist to service the fantasies of men.” Sue says that environmental microaggressions are usually invisible to the majority group but extremely visible to the disempowered group (10).
Microassault, microinsult, or microinvalidation?Microinsult: Little darlings… insensitive and demeaning toward women, suggests that they are inferiorMicroinvalidation: because they are unaware of their bias, also because the statement negates the experience of women.
2 more:Asking a female student if she has a boyfriend or husband instead of a partner or spouse: message is heterosexuality is the normSaying “Let me do that for you” for a person with disabilities sends the message : you are not really capable. I know better than you how to do this.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college studentsAnd the number one cause of suicide for college student suicides (and all suicides) is untreated depressionUnequal treatment by administration, professors, other classmatesStudies show that the greater the discrimination one experiences, the more serious the health risksOne study showed a higher risk of cigarette smoking for African American and Latino students who experience discrimination, which can obviously put those individuals at a greater risk for lung cancer and other diseasesHigher levels of psychological distress than experienced by non-minority studentsOne of which is suicide ideation, or thoughts of suicide. The occurrence of thoughts is linked with greater discriminationState anxiety: A temporary emotional condition characterized by apprehension, tension, and fear about a particular situation or activity.Trait anxiety: predisposed to perceive a wide range of situations as dangerous or threatening, and to respond to those situations with increased estate anxiety
