On Microaggressions and Their Impact
As SunShower launches our new course, Disarming Microaggressions with Derald Wing Sue Ph.D., we’re grateful to see microaggressions gaining wider attention in the media.
Michelle Singletary explores common misconceptions about race and inequality in her 10-part series for the Washington Post called Sincerely, Michelle. She devotes one installment to the topic of microaggressions, speaking about the effects of the subtle, and even well-meaning, discriminations and mistreatments in her daily life. You can read her article here.
Michelle shares a few of these examples in the article, including this one:
A while ago, my family was vacationing at a resort in Orlando. My husband was tossing our three young children around in the pool, to their audible delight. I was sitting nearby on a lounge chair, reading a book. There were other parents in the water playing with their children as well.
After another shriek of laughter from my kids, I looked up and saw a White man, perhaps in his mid-60s, splashing toward my family. He waded up to my 40-something husband and said, loud enough for me to hear as well: “You have such a nice family. It’s so nice to see you playing with your children.”
My husband and I shared a glance. He could see me getting steamed. I wanted to say something about this man’s offensive statement, but my husband just shook his head and mouthed, “Let it go.”
Michelle references Dr. Derald Wing Sue and his pioneering work on microaggressions, quoting him in her article to highlight how un-micro microaggressions are to the recipient: “The power of microaggressions lies in their invisibility to the perpetrator, who is unaware that he or she has engaged in a behavior that threatens and demeans the recipient of such a communication.” She mentions Dr. Sue’s work in microinterventions, and this is where we come in with our new course that educates people about microaggressions and offers skills to speak up, interrupt and disarm them in the moment or afterwards.
She concludes with a clarion call: “If your biased question, ill-conceived compliment, befuddled stare or racist statement is called out, don’t get defensive or trivialize the incident. Black people need you to be able to accept the feedback, because it’s literally detrimental to our psychological and physical health to stay silent and seethe in the face of racial microaggressions.”
Toward this goal, SunShower Learning is proud to partner with Dr. Sue, and present our new program, Disarming Microaggressions. In the course, Dr. Sue emphasizes that everyone is at risk of saying or doing something offensive because we all have biases that are outside of our conscious awareness. So, even well-intentioned people can say something that turns into an unintentional expression of bias.
More From Our Blog…
The Great Detachment: Why Employee Engagement is at Risk—Especially for Gen Z
As described in a recent article entitled, “The Great Detachment is looming for employees, experts warn—especially for Gen Z” by Lindsay Dodgson, employee disengagement is becoming an increasingly critical issue for companies worldwide. With a staggering cost of over...
Understanding Employee Responses to DEI Initiatives: Insights and Strategies
A recent study sheds light on a previously underexplored aspect of DEI training. While much focus has been placed on the facilitators, trainers and the content of DEI programs, this study examines how employees actually respond to the training. Published in Harvard...
SHRM’s Removal of “Equity” From DEI Framework: A Step Backwards Amid Growing Backlash
In a stunning step in the wrong direction, the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), the world’s largest HR association, has removed “Equity” from its “IE&D” framework. What message does this send, especially amid strong pushback against Diversity, Equity...
Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs
In the midst of the evolving landscape of corporate diversity initiatives, there's a seismic shift underway. The once-prominent acronym "DEI" - representing diversity, equity and inclusion - is notably absent from many company discussions. As explained in the article...
A Groundbreaking New Course: Understanding the Complexity of the Asian American Pacific Islander Experience
With over two decades of experience in the educational sector, Hideko Akashi, founder and lead consultant at Liberation Consulting, has been a steadfast advocate for diversity, privilege, social justice, inclusion and equity. Now, she's opening a new chapter with the...
The Deafening Silence of DEI Allies: A Call to Action in Troubled Times
As we commemorate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his poignant words echo through the corridors of history, reminding us of the profound impact of silence in the face of injustice.” In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the...
DEI LEAP: Empowering Leaders Through Turbulent Times
DEI LEAP: Empowering Leaders Through Turbulent Times As we all know, 2024 has brought a wave of attacks against DEI. A handful of outspoken critics, such as Elon Musk, are misrepresenting DEI and attacking the strategies and practices that are creating more equitable...
The Colorblindness Trap
Read. This. Article. It's important. The Color Blindness Trap: How a civil rights ideal got hijacked Nikole Hannah-Jones is a domestic correspondent for The New York Times Magazine focusing on racial injustice. Her extensive reporting in both print and radio has...
The Unbearable Lightness of the “I’m Sorry if You Were Offended” Apology
Have you ever come across that non-apology apology? You know, the one that goes, "I’m sorry if you were offended," or its close cousin, "I’m sorry that you…" These non-apologies aren't just weak; they can actually inflict more harm and exacerbate hurt feelings. They...
The Power of Diversity: McKinsey’s Latest Report Reinforces the Business Case for Inclusive Leadership
In an era where corporate social responsibility is no longer just a buzzword but a fundamental aspect of successful business strategies, McKinsey's latest report, "Diversity Matters Even More: The Case for Holistic Impact," underscores the undeniable link...