Before Microaggressions Happen
True or False: Microaggressions often occur as a result of implicit bias (i.e our inherent experiences, perceived stereotypes till date, and other characteristics of our environment)
True
True or False: It is important to address microaggressions as soon as they happen
True
True or False: Important to respond to potential microaggressions with severe hostility.
Absolutely false
True or False: Assuming someone is more dangerous or acting more guarded around someone because of their skin color, gender, or size is considered a microaggression
True (Assumption of Criminality)
True or False: Being transparent and aware of potential internal biases is NOT important to addressing microaggressions successfully.
False (very important)
True or False: The person who should always respond to a microaggression should be the person who just received it.
False: (important to point this kind of stuff out as a bystander as well)
True or False: Look to marginalized students as experts on issues relating to their specific group
False (don't force someone to speak for a huge group of people)
True or False: Something as simple as "You don't look disabled" is NOT considered a microaggression.
False
Why are microaggressions often different from being explicitly racist or harmful?
Example Answer: Often times not meant with bad intention, or just a term that might now be archaic and in poor taste
Why is staying calm always important when responding to a microaggression that someone else perpetuates?
Example Answer: No idea if the other person is trying to be explicitly harmful or just unaware of the gravitas of what they've said
Why might a statement as simple as "That's retarded." be problematic, especially in a school setting?
Example Answer: Extremely demeaning to a historically very mistreated group of people.
Why might a phrase as simple as "America's a melting pot" be considered a microaggression in certain contexts?
Example Answer: Doesn't do justice to the different experiences that different kinds of immigrants have had in the country (Denial of Racial Reality)
Why is being aware of our own implicit biases so important for stopping microaggressions before we commit them?
Example Answer: Helps us understand where our understanding of other people is lacking, and gives us a reminder to sometimes be quiet on certain topics we lack awareness of
Double Jeopardy: What is an example of a microaggression (or even something just plain hurtful) someone's said to you, and how did you react to it?
Anything solid and well thought-out gets the 800
Why could dismissing a microaggression be super damaging?
Example Answer: Reinforces psychological impact, makes a hurtful statement seem socially acceptable on its own
Can perceived compliments be considered microaggressions as well? If so, give an example.
Absolutely. ("He's so good at math because he's Asian!")