Based on a summary by Nadal (2018), I will review four dynamics and
three categories of microaggressions.
Four Microaggression Dynamics or Dilemmas
1. Clash of Different Realities
People who experience the same event perceive it in different ways. The
offender becomes defensive if the offended person complains and may add insult
to injury with such remarks as: ”You’re too sensitive,” “You need to toughen up,”
“Get over it!”
2. Invisibility or unintentional bias
Most of the US government leaders and heads of large corporations are healthy
white men born in America. They continue to support their traditions as the
standard way to live and behave. They are the ingroup having an unrecognized
implicit bias that is hard to recognize because their ways seem so normal. Immigrants
and minorities are expected to adapt to the cultural norms. If those in the dominant
group are confronted, they may respond with denial or rationalization. They may
even overcompensate (e.g., showing a photo of Black or gay friends).
3. Minimization of harm
This dynamic is the mistaken belief that the impact or these offensive
actions is minimal and does not cause much damage. The reality is of course
that people who are constantly hit with nonlethal verbal pellets end up sore
and angry. Offenders may be totally unaware of the constant verbal hits a
minority absorbs even by the time they reach adulthood.
4. The response trap
If an offended person does not respond, the offender will never learn
but the offended person pays a price. The cost of responding can be measured in
the time and effort it takes, the risk of dealing with a defensive and uncaring
response, or even retaliation in physical or other ways such as demotion or job
loss.
Three Categories of Microaggressions
1. Microassaults
Microassaults are short but high impact verbal or nonverbal insults. Protesters
may be labeled as looters or rioters suggesting violence is justified to stop
them. Immigrants may be labeled as criminals, spies, or rapists justifying
incarceration and deportation.
2. Microinsults
These small but identifiable actions can include following a minority or
poorly dressed person around a store as if they were a thief or ignoring a
Black person in a group of white people as if their opinion was of no
consequence.
3. Microinvalidations
Microinvalidations are statements that contradict and therefore dismiss
the experience of marginalized groups. A woman or man subject to unwanted touch
or an insulting story may experience here complaint as unsubstantiated or
irrational. An angry complaint is dismissed with comments like the person is
too angry, too insensitive, paranoid, and other words denying the validity of
the complaint.
Related Posts
Reference
Nadal, K. L. (2018).
What are microaggressions? In Microaggressions and traumatic stress:Theory, research, and clinical treatment. (pp. 39–52). American
Psychological Association.
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