A “slip of the mind”

Once I spoke with an African American male physician. At one point, we were talking about his professional journey in medicine. He mentioned that he had learned to be more comfortable with hearing ‘How did YOU come to this job?’ as a not-thinly-veiled insult.”Months later, he asked me to help with implicit bias in his communication. He was concerned that, at times, he might be unintentionally offending patients.

 

What are microaggressions?

Microaggressions are “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile or negative slights and insults” (Sue et al, 2007) to members of marginalized groups. 

 

Examples of microagressions

Theme                                                                         

When Asian Americans and Latino Americans are assumed to be foreign-born

Microaggression 

1. A White client does not want to work with an Asian American therapist because “she will not understand my problem.”

2. A White therapist tells an American-born Latino client that he/she should seek a Spanish-speaking therapist.

Message

You are not American.

 

Theme                                                                         

Assigning a degree of intelligence to a person of color based on their race

Microaggression 

1. A school counselor reacts with surprise when an Asian American student had trouble on the math portion of a standardized test.

2. A career counselor asking a Black or Latino student, “Do you think you’re ready for college?”

Message

All Asians are smart and good at math.

It is unusual for people of color to succeed.

 

Theme 

Statements indicating a White person does not want to acknowledge race

Microaggression 

1. A therapist says “I think you are being too paranoid. We should emphasize similarities, not people’s differences” when a client of color attempts to discuss her alienated feelings about being the only person of color at her job.

2. A client of color expresses concern in discussing racial issues with her therapist. Her therapist replies with, “When I see you, I don’t see color.”

Message

Race and culture are not important variables that affect people’s lives.

Your racial experiences are not valid.

 

Three lessons and how to apply them

Our language tells on us
The analysis of language in macroaggression research reveals patterns of thought–often based on unexamined stereotypes–beneath people’s words.

Applying in practice

Be aware of how you are talking to patient from a different social group,  and how might your conversation be based on biases?

 

Subtle messages pack a punch                                                             

Microaggression research makes subtle messages in our language visible. Applying in practice

Brainstorm alternative statements or phrases with a friend or family member in helping you ‘see’ your language from another vantage point. 

 

We all engage in microaggressions
Addressing unconscious bias makes people nervous in several ways. But you don’t have to have a negative attitude. It’s more about how we tend to speak from the cultural norms (sometimes stereotypes) we hold.

Applying in practice

At some point in your life, it’s likely you have unintentionally offended someone you care about. When you’ve corrected yourself, think about how did this impact the way you spoke to this person? Be reflective about your assumptions.