Microaggressions

The contents of this section predominately center on racial microaggressions. We acknowledge the existence of other types of microaggressions and recognize that they are no less significant or serious.

Defining Racial Microaggressions 

Sue et al. (2007) define racial microaggressions as “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward people of color.” (pg. 271). The term was first introduced by psychiatrist Chester Pierce in the 1970s to describe racially motivated demeanors and insults directed at African Americans. Today, scholars across disciplines acknowledge that microaggressions target any person of color.

Recognizing microaggressions is not so simple, with a gap sometimes occurring with what the intended message is and what the actual message communicates. While these offenses are oftentimes unintentional, they are damaging and have a negative impact on a recipient’s academic performance, focus, and engagement. Increasing your awareness about these issues, will help you improve the campus experience and academic outcomes for students. We hope that the resources contained in this section will help you during this process. 

Mitigating Microaggression Tools 

Additional Microaggression Toolkits

Scholarship & Research 

Notes

Definition source:

Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., Torino, G. C., Bucceri, J. M., Holder, A. M. B., Nadal, K. L., & Esquilin, M. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: implications for clinical practice. The American Psychologist, 62(4), 271–286.