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Essays about microaggression
Essays about microaggression
Essays about microaggression
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In the society we know today, we often believe that it has evolved above racism and all have grown to look past race and see someone only as the person they are. However, in a society where racist messages have institutionalized themselves to the underlying morals of its inhabitants, there is no logic in believing in this archetype of society. Existing since the 1970s when coined by Chester M. Pierce, the term micoaggressions went through serious refining at the hands of Derald Wing Sue, Ph.D., professor of counseling psychology at Colombia University. He has solidified the definition of microaggressions as “…brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward people of color” (Sue 271). Due to Sue’s work toward refining and reintroducing the term, “microaggressions” has spread to college campuses and intellectuals that have validated and have even applied it to life. With its popularity has come a fervent spirit to be able to perceive micoaggressions more accurately and successfully combat them, but even with a large following, several have come to speak negatively and critique the term for only reinforcing a victim mentality in minority groups. However, there is real credibility behind the term and should it definitely not be dismissed. Microaggressions are a pertinent aspect of racism that should be taken seriously because they not only damage the victim psyche by insinuating negative messages, but are also often ignored, often unintentionally, by those guilty of using them.
The new hype and opinion that has developed around microaggressions is truly due to the work of Derald W...
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...ids about Race.” Are We Born Racist?. Jason Marsh, Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, and Jeremy Adam Smith. Boston: Beacon Press, 2010. 58-63. Print.
DeAngelis, Tori. “Unmasking ‘racial microaggressions’.” Monitor on Psychology 40.2 (2009): 42. American Psychological Association. Web. 28 Mar 2014.
Ford, Richard Thompson. The Race Card. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2008. Print.
Murray, Carolyn B. and Reginald M. Clark. “Targets of Racism.” American School Board Journal. June 1990: 22.24. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 31 Mar 2014.
Sue, Derald, et al. “Racial Microaggresssions in Everyday Life: Implications for Clinical Practice.” American Psychologist 62.4 (2007): 271-286. Fordham University Website. Web. 24 Mar 2014.
Vega, Tanzina. “Students See Many Slights as ‘Racial Microaggressions’.” The New York Times. 21 Mar 2014: A1. New York Times. Web. 28 Mar 2014.
Smedley, B. D. (2012). The Lived Experience of Race and Its Health Consequences. The Science of Research on Racial/Ethnic Discrimination and Health, 102(May), 933.
Claudia Rankine’s Citizen explores the daily life situations between blacks and whites and reveals that how little offensive denigrating conversations in the form of micro-aggressions conveyed to the black people intentionally by the whites and how these racial comments fuels the frustrations and anger among the blacks. She gathered the various incidents, where
Many of the stereotypes we encounter and hold today were formed because of events in the past, which were formed to rationalize and justify past social and political agendas. Many of the stereotypes that we now hold today were learned long ago and have been passed from one generation to the next. This book has forever inspired me to believe in the value of each child and discourage racist attitudes wherever I encounter them. Gregory Howard Williams encountered many hurdles growing up and successfully defeated them all. He could have easily confirmed the expectations of his negative peers and developed into a self-fulfilling prophecy, but instead he chose to shun his stereotypes and triumph over incredible odds.
Kohli and Solórzano’s theory of racial microaggression is described as subtle daily verbal and non-verbal racial insults that are often carried out automatically or unconsciously. People of color are usually targeted through layers based on their language, culture, and phenotype, and Eurocentric cultural values through the act of microaggressions often replace these layers. The authors argued that these microaggressions, although said unconsciously or subtly, the consequences of an individual’s experiences can have a detrimental impact on their well-being and self-perceptions (Kholi & Solórzano, 2012).
Winant, Howard. 2000 "Race and race theory." Annual review of sociology ():-. Retrieved from http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/faculty/winant/Race_and_Race_Theory.html on Mar 17, 1980
My knowledge of microaggressions prior to research was limited. Before discussing the topic in class, I had never even heard the term microaggression. As of now, all I know is what I learned in class; that microaggressions are snide, racist comments that are made repeatedly. Due to my limited knowledge, I decided this would be an interesting topic to explore and read about. Through all of my research, my goal is to learn more about the effects and different types of people that experience microaggressions.
Microaggressions are committed constantly, among numerous people without them realizing it. I must say I am completely guilty of also playing part in this act. These acts are done constantly and no one understands the affects it has on people. Miller and Garran (2008) states, “Racial microaggressions are similar to aversive racism. They are “subtle, stunning, often automatic,” verbal and nonverbal putdowns and social assaults that wound people of color unbeknownst to the perpetrator” (p.97). This is what produces pain and anger inside countless of people. Many individuals need professional help in order to surpass the neglect they have been summited to.
I chose racism because the news recently has brought about more discussion on racially charged issues. In class earlier this session the term “microaggression” was talked about and got me thinking. I wondered where this occurs most frequently and what kind of oppression mainly uses this technique. T.V. news was the media outlet I thought of that could most blatantly use microaggression.
The most commonly known type of racism, interpersonal racism, finds its way into many aspects of our social structure and our society. Interpersonal racism can be defined as the racial domination that exists in every day life and is “found in...
Izumi, Yutaka and Frank Hammonds. "Changing Ethnic/Racial Stereotypes: The Roles of Individuals and Groups." Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal (2007): 845-852.
In 1995, the Carnegie Corporation commissioned a number of papers to summarize research that could be used to improve race relations in schools and youth organizations. One way to fight against racism is to “start teaching the importance of and strategies for positive intergroup relations when children are young”(Teaching Tolerance,). Bias is learned at an early age, often at home, so schools should offer lessons of tolerance and
...r own unique ways.; however, the authors focus on different aspects of prejudice and racism, resulting in them communicating different ideas and thoughts that range from racial discrimination to stereotypical attitudes. The range of ideas attempt to engage the readers about the reality of their issues. The reality about a world where prejudice and racism still prevail in modern times. But when will prejudice and racism ever cease to exist? And if they were ever to cease from existence, what does that mean about humankind?
Shelby, T. (2002) “Is Racism in the Heart?” In G. L. Bowie, M. W. Michaels, and R. C. Solomon (Eds.), Twenty Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy (479-483). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.
Blum, Lawrence. I'm Not A Racist But: The Moral Quandary of Race. New York: Cornell University Press, 2002. 5
Tishler, William P. and Stanley K. Schultz. "Racist Culture." Review 5 2007 n. pag. Web. 29 Nov. 2014.