Identifying and Preventing Microaggression in Modern Day America

IDENTIFYING AND PREVENTING MICRO AGRESSION 1

Identifying and Preventing Microaggression in Modern Day America

Microaggressions are quotidian abusive remarks, derogatory statements, and indignities carried out by, in many instances, a well-meaning individual in a presiding group against an individual in a minority group. It is more challenging to detect microaggressions than other undisguised acts of discrimination, such as racism and sexism. They are not meant to hurt, and the individual carrying out the acts most likely has no clue they just made an offensive remark. The actual act or words are frequently not awful, but the underlying meaning discloses discrimination. Microaggressions seem to be discriminations that are just lurking beneath the surface. They can be identified by analyzing remarks and actions perpetrated by individuals and understanding the bias behind them. Though seemingly unsubstantial, they have detrimental effects on an individual’s mental and overall health over time (Derald Wing Sue, 2020).

Luckily, there are some recommendations on how to prevent microaggressions. When first meeting an individual, it is essential to assess them and how they are different from you. The brain already does this, but if one is active in the process, they are more likely not to get caught up in it and become aware when making untoward comments. Second, it is crucial to question our beliefs and evaluate the physical elements that instinctively prompt our minds to assume an individual. When one is more reserved about the brain’s assumptions about an individual, it is easy to prevent oneself from buying into stereotypes founded on an individual’s physical appearance. Third, it is essential to acknowledge the part played by institutions and society. Recognize how institutions were established around and benefit from suppressing minorities, like the zero-tolerance initiatives at public schools guarantee that black students have some interaction with the criminal justice system (Levchak, 2018).

References

Derald Wing Sue, L. S. (2020). Microaggressions in Everyday Life. John Wiley & Sons.

Levchak, C. C. (2018). Microaggressions and Modern Racism: Endurance and Evolution.

Springer.