

Verbal Jujitsu, Disarming and Other Tips for Dealing with Microaggressions
Here’s an excellent article in the LA Times that features Dr. Derald Wing Sue and his tactics for disarming and dismantling microaggressions. The article draws on the experiences of a US Olympic figure skater, a Vietnamese-American medical student and a Punjabi Sikh performer in LA. You can read the article here (insert link here).
From the article: “Psychologist Derald Wing Sue calls microaggressions the “everyday slights, indignities, insults, putdowns and invalidations” that people from marginalized communities experience on a regular basis. Although these affronts often come from well-intentioned people, they are draining and have a “macro impact” on our health and well-being, said Sue, a professor at Columbia University who researches microintervention strategies. Whether and how we respond to a microaggression is situational, but we don’t have to passively let them happen to us or in front of us. There are ways, large and small, to push back and “signal to both the perpetrator and onlookers that this is unacceptable behavior,” Sue said.”
The article outlines Dr. Sue’s tactics for disarming and and dismantling microaggressions. You can see and practice these tactics in our course, Disarming Microaggressions (insert link here). When discussing “Make the invisible visible,” the article calls Dr. Sue’s idea of a comeback, a statement that counteracts the hidden message, “a form of verbal jujitsu”.
The article does an excellent job of expressing the harmful impact of microaggressions and the challenge of how to counteract, dismantle and disarm them with microinterventions.
Our new e-Learning course, Disarming Microaggressions gives learners the chance to practice these skills in a safe space and gain confidence in speaking up – whether they’re a person who’s been targeted or a bystander who witnesses a microaggression. The course also addresses how to receive feedback that you’ve said or done something offensive. You can take the e-Learning for a Test Drive here.
More From Our Blog…
Navigating Thanksgiving – Speak Up or Stay Silent?
Tis the day before Thanksgiving and all through the land, people are anxious. Amidst the joy of the holiday—cherishing togetherness, celebrating with family and friends, and expressing gratitude— there's a potential for discomfort as opinions are shared and points of...
Hidden Hurdles: How Racial Segregation and Discrimination Hinder Black Professional Networks
In the United States, racial segregation and discrimination have cast long and oppressive shadows over the lives of Black individuals. While we often discuss the many consequences of these systemic injustices, one aspect that deserves more attention is their impact on...
Confronting the Backlash: The DEI Imperative
“Three short years after their collective response to massive protests over the police murder of George Floyd, companies are reneging on their diversity pledges." In their recent MIT Sloan Review article titled "Countering the Corporate Diversity Backlash,"...
Announcing the New SunShower App
After months of development, the new SunShower Learning learner app is now ready for prime time. Access a free download here:iTunes App StoreGoogle Play Store When you purchase a license for one or more of our award-winning eLearning courses and opt for delivery...
The Day I Remained Silent: Confronting Discrimination and Stereotypes
By Gina Miller We all have moments in our lives that we look back on with regret, wishing we had acted differently. One such moment for me was the day I didn't speak up in the face of discrimination and stereotypes. It's a story I've carried with me, serving as a...
Brave Marketing Is Good Business When It Comes to DEI
“Kantar’s ‘Brand Inclusion Index’ found that not only is there a financial advantage to a strong DEI strategy, but that there is still plenty of room to stand out.” According to a new report, a lack of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) could be costing businesses...