Microaggressions and Modern Racism (eBook)

Charisse C. Levchak is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at Central Connecticut State University, USA. Aside from having a doctoral degree in sociology, she also holds a Master of Social Work degree. She researches and teaches in the areas of race, cultural competence, diversity, oppression, liberation, and social justice.

Preface 6
References 10
Contents 11
List of Figures 12
List of Tables 13
Chapter 1: Introduction 14
We Are the Solution 14
We Must Overcome Our Biases, Silence, and Inaction 15
We Must Talk About Racism and Do Our Part to Address It 16
Benefits for People of Color 16
Benefits for Everyone 17
Purpose of Work 17
Study Parameters and Methods 20
Academia 21
Employment and Workplaces 22
The Media and Popular Culture 23
Chapter Outline 23
References 24
Chapter 2: Microaggressions, Macroaggressions, and Modern Racism 26
The State of Contemporary Race Relations in the United States 26
The Need for Protections Against Racist Macroaggressions and Microaggressions 27
Theoretical Frameworks 29
Critical Race Theory 31
Microaggression and Macroaggression Theory: Classic and Contemporary Frameworks 31
Understanding Overt and Covert Racism 32
Microaggressions and Macroaggressions: Revisiting, Revising, and Creating Concepts 35
Microassaults Are Macroaggressions 37
Microinsults Are Microaggressions 38
Microinvalidations Are Microaggressions 40
Aggressor and Target Relationship 41
Responses to Microaggressions and Macroaggressions: Reactions That Help and Harm Targets 45
Where Microaggressions and Macroaggressions Occur: Precarious vs. Protective Spaces 49
The Consequences of Racist Microaggressions and Macroaggressions: Stress, Trauma, and Death 50
Core Concepts of Microaggression and Macroaggression Theory 54
Modern Racism 59
References 76
Chapter 3: Racist Beliefs and the Importance of Cultural Competence 83
Understanding Racist Beliefs 83
Biases 84
Post-racist Beliefs 85
Cultural Competence 87
Research Findings on Racist Beliefs 91
Racist Beliefs 91
Post-racist Beliefs 92
Cultural Competency 93
References 94
Chapter 4: Microaggressions, Macroaggressions, and Modern Racism in Higher Education 96
Racism in School 96
Race-based “Tests” in Addition to Academic Tests 97
Challenges Unique to Predominantly White Institutions 98
Research Findings on Racism in School: Qualitative Data 99
Anti-Black Racist Microaggressions and Macroaggressions 100
Anti-Asian and Anti-International Racist Sentiments, Microaggressions, and Macroaggressions 104
Racial Segregation on College Campuses 108
Claims of Reverse Racism and People of Color Receiving Preferential Treatment 109
Racist Jokes 111
Research Findings on Racism in School: Quantitative Data 112
References 113
Chapter 5: Microaggressions, Macroaggressions, and Modern Racism in the Workplace 116
Racism and Bullying in the Workplace 116
Bullying and Racial/Ethnic Bullying: From the Playground to the Workplace 117
Research Findings on Racism in the Workplace 119
Interview Details 119
Understanding the Data 121
Treated Rudely or Disrespectfully 122
Not Treated Rudely or Disrespectfully 126
Unsure 126
Treated as If They Were Stupid 130
Not Treated as If They Were Stupid 132
Bystander Experience 133
Others Have Avoided Being Around Them 135
Related Microaggressive Experiences 136
Has Not Been Avoided 136
Others Have Acted as If They Were Afraid of Them or Intimidated by Them 138
Have Been Stared at as If They Were Abnormal or Did Not Belong 143
Has Not Been Stared at as If Abnormal or Not Belonging 145
Have Been Watched or Followed at Work as If They Were a Threat or Dangerous 147
Have Not Been Watched or Followed at Work as If They Were a Threat or Dangerous 148
Have Been Watched or Followed in Other Public Places as If They Were a Threat or Dangerous 148
Ideas, Beliefs, or Opinions Were Ignored or Devalued 151
Ideas, Beliefs, or Opinions Were Not Ignored or Devalued/Unsure 153
Ideas, Beliefs, or Opinions Were Ignored or Devalued as an Ally or Advocate 153
Have Been Left Out of Conversations or Activities 156
Others Have Expected Their Work to Be Inferior 161
Others Have Not Expected Their Work to Be Inferior 164
Have Been Mistaken for Someone Else Because They Are a Member of the Same Racial Group 166
Have Not Been Mistaken for Someone Else Because They Are a Member of the Same Racial Group 168
Have Been Mistaken for Someone Who Serves Others in Their Workplace 169
Have Not Been Mistaken for Someone Who Serves Others in Their Workplace 170
Have Been Told that They Were “Too Sensitive About Race” 172
Have Not Been Told that They Were “Too Sensitive About Race” 175
Have Been Told by Someone that They Don’t See Race 178
Have Heard an Offensive Joke or Comment About Their Group 182
Have Not Heard an Offensive Joke or Comment About Their Group 184
Have Heard Stereotypes About Their Group 185
Have Been Called a Name or Verbally Harassed 188
Have Not Been Called a Name or Verbally Harassed 188
Received Offensive Phone Calls, Letters, or E-mail 190
Related Experience 190
Consequences of Microaggressions 217
Major Themes 219
What Can Be Done? 220
References 222
Chapter 6: Microaggressions, Macroaggressions, and Modern Racism in the Media and Popular Culture 224
The Impact of the Media on Us 225
Television, Film, and Video Games 228
Microaggressive and Macroaggressive Messages 228
Diversity and Representation 228
Nuanced and Intricate Views 228
Positive, Empowering, and Affirming Messages 229
Music 229
Microaggressive and Macroaggressive Messages 229
Positive, Empowering, and Affirming Messages 230
Social Media 230
Microaggressive and Macroaggressive Messages 230
Positive, Empowering, and Affirming Messages 231
Sports 231
Microaggressive and Macroaggressive Messages 231
News 232
Microaggressive and Macroaggressive Messages 232
Nuanced and Intricate Views 233
Politics 233
Microaggressive and Macroaggressive Messages 233
Positive and Empowering Messages 233
References 234
Chapter 7: The Future of Race and Racism in the United States 235
Oppression or Liberation? 235
Liberatory Consciousness 236
Committing to Anti-racism Efforts and a Liberatory Consciousness 237
Promoting Anti-racism Efforts and a Liberatory Consciousness in Our Relationships 238
Supporting Leaders and Policies with an Anti-racism Focus 238
Collective Action 239
Liberation 240
The Future of Race Relations and Racism in the United States 241
References 241
Glossary 242
Index 246