Module 4: Biases, Stereotypes, Aggressions, & Privilege
Part 4: Socialization in the formation of identity
The words people say matter. So do behaviors and environmental cues. These components are part of macroaggressions and microaggressions explored in this part. The majority of the focus will be on microaggressions.
Suggested Goals:
1. To understand the definitions of macroaggressions and microaggressions.
2. To understand different types of microaggressions.
3. To apply the concept of microaggressions as a tool for understanding the classroom, including verbal, behavioral, and environmental cues, and necessary changes in practice.
4. To begin considering how to lessen microaggressions in the classroom.
Suggested Goals:
1. To understand the definitions of macroaggressions and microaggressions.
2. To understand different types of microaggressions.
3. To apply the concept of microaggressions as a tool for understanding the classroom, including verbal, behavioral, and environmental cues, and necessary changes in practice.
4. To begin considering how to lessen microaggressions in the classroom.
&1: Macroaggressions & Microaggressions
Aggression may be associated with anger, physical contact, and violence. However, many aggressive statements may be made without being physical - through verbal, behavioral, or environmental means. These statements, whether small slights (microaggressions) or larger, overt insults (macroaggressions), can have damaging effects on people and maintain racist systems.
The readings below will differentiate macroaggressions from microaggressions. The first article presented is a research article. Although the entire article is valuable, if you do not read this entire article, you can still gain insight from the beginning sections that aid in defining some key ideas about macroaggressions and microaggressions.
Read:
Deconstructing Macroaggressions, Microaggressions, and Structural Racism in Education: Developing a Conceptual Model for the Intersection of Social Justice Practice and Intercultural Education
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/776e/97721e3cdd1793285b98696c7a1ed76c5e57.pdf?_ga=2.124997514.1445867187.1597632924-1315448052.1597632924
The readings below will differentiate macroaggressions from microaggressions. The first article presented is a research article. Although the entire article is valuable, if you do not read this entire article, you can still gain insight from the beginning sections that aid in defining some key ideas about macroaggressions and microaggressions.
Read:
Deconstructing Macroaggressions, Microaggressions, and Structural Racism in Education: Developing a Conceptual Model for the Intersection of Social Justice Practice and Intercultural Education
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/776e/97721e3cdd1793285b98696c7a1ed76c5e57.pdf?_ga=2.124997514.1445867187.1597632924-1315448052.1597632924
| osanloo_azadeh_deconstructin_racism_in_education_ijotd_v4_n1_2016.pdf |
The following resources focus on understanding microaggressions. While not always the case, microaggressions are often unknowingly perpetrated by those speaking them.
Read:
Microaggressions
https://www.colorado.edu/center/teaching-learning/inclusivity/microaggressions
What to Know About Microaggressions
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/microagressions#how-to-avoid-them
6 Things to Learn About Microaggressions
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/six-things-to-learn-about_b_5512057
Read:
Microaggressions
https://www.colorado.edu/center/teaching-learning/inclusivity/microaggressions
What to Know About Microaggressions
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/microagressions#how-to-avoid-them
6 Things to Learn About Microaggressions
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/six-things-to-learn-about_b_5512057
Read/Watch:
What Exactly Is a Microaggression?
https://www.vox.com/2015/2/16/8031073/what-are-microaggressions
www.chconline.org/resourcelibrary/what-exactly-is-a-microaggression/
What Exactly Is a Microaggression?
https://www.vox.com/2015/2/16/8031073/what-are-microaggressions
www.chconline.org/resourcelibrary/what-exactly-is-a-microaggression/
How Unintentional But Insidious Bias Can Be the Most Harmful
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-unintentional-but-insidious-bias-can-be-the-most-harmful
Explore:
Spalding University: Anti-racism Resources
https://library.spalding.edu/c.php?g=1049767&p=7621533
Reflection:
- How are macroaggressions and microaggressions different?
- What are different levels or categories of microaggressions?
- How could microaggressions manifest in classrooms?
The impacts of microaggressions may seem small when viewed individually, but microaggressions are rarely isolated incidents. Microaggressions accumulate over time and can have serious consequences, such as the examples presented in the resources linked below.
Read/Watch:
It’s Meant as a Compliment, But What It Really Says Is, “You Don’t Fit In.”
https://www.upworthy.com/its-meant-as-a-compliment-but-what-it-really-says-is-you-dont-fit-in
Building on the ideas in the previous article and video, the following resources can help to understand microaggressions and their presence in our classrooms.
Read:
Tool: Recognizing Microaggressions and the Messages They Send
https://academicaffairs.ucsc.edu/events/documents/Microaggressions_Examples_Arial_2014_11_12.pdf
| microaggressions_examples_arial_2014_11_12__1_.pdf |
Examples of Microaggressions in the Classroom
https://www.messiah.edu/download/downloads/id/921/Microaggressions_in_the_Classroom.pdf
https://www.messiah.edu/download/downloads/id/921/Microaggressions_in_the_Classroom.pdf
| microaggressions_in_the_classroom.pdf |
Reflect:
After understanding microaggressions, we need to be prepared to respond to them in our classrooms. This means reflecting on and bettering our own actions as well as knowing what to do if we hear microaggressions from others. The following resources explore when and how to respond to microaggressions.
Read:
A Guide to Responding to Microaggressions
https://advancingjustice-la.org/sites/default/files/ELAMICRO%20A_Guide_to_Responding_to_Microaggressions.pdf
- What examples of microaggressions have you seen in the classroom? Are these microaggressions verbal, behavioral, or environmental?
- How could you respond to microaggressions?
After understanding microaggressions, we need to be prepared to respond to them in our classrooms. This means reflecting on and bettering our own actions as well as knowing what to do if we hear microaggressions from others. The following resources explore when and how to respond to microaggressions.
Read:
A Guide to Responding to Microaggressions
https://advancingjustice-la.org/sites/default/files/ELAMICRO%20A_Guide_to_Responding_to_Microaggressions.pdf
| elamicro_a_guide_to_responding_to_microaggressions.pdf |
Did You Really Just Say That?
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/01/microaggressions
Read/Listen:
Microaggressions are a Big Deal: How to Talk Them Out and When to Walk Away
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/872371063/microaggressions-are-a-big-deal-how-to-talk-them-out-and-when-to-walk-away
Reflect:
The next part will explore the idea of white privilege and its consequences.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/01/microaggressions
Read/Listen:
Microaggressions are a Big Deal: How to Talk Them Out and When to Walk Away
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/872371063/microaggressions-are-a-big-deal-how-to-talk-them-out-and-when-to-walk-away
Reflect:
- What microaggressions are you aware of in your teaching?
- What are two next steps that you could take to reduce microaggressions in your classroom?
- Considering what you have learned about microaggressions, how will your practice become more antiracist?
The next part will explore the idea of white privilege and its consequences.
