Microintervention Strategies (eBook)

DERALD WING SUE, PHD, is Professor of Psychology and Education in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at Teachers College at Columbia University. He is the author of 23 books and over 170 scholarly publications and has led extensive cultural diversity training for many Fortune 500 companies and institutions of higher education.

In Chapter 1, we make a major conceptual distinction between micro and macroaggressions, explicate the manifestation, dynamics and impact of the latter on the lived experience of marginalized groups in our society, and reveal how they are often hidden or disguised in the customs and practices of institutions, the public policies of our society, and the racialized ideological beliefs of the general public.



In Chapters 2 and 3, we provide a new conceptual working definition of microinterventions and organize them into three types: microaffirmations, microprotections and microchallenges. We describe how each uniquely immunizes targets against, and nullifies or minimizes the negative impact of micro and macroaggressions.



In Chapters 4 and 5, we review literature that discuss the positive benefits that often accrue to targets, significant others, allies, well-intentioned bystanders, and broader social norms when concerned individuals engage in microinterventions. In addition, we cite scholarly work that explicates the costs of inaction in the face of racially biased and unfair actions.



In Chapters 5 and 6, we identify major barriers to taking action against prejudice and discrimination and suggest solutions for overcoming these challenges. These include the invisibility of bias, belief in their minimal harm, pressure to conform, threatening repercussions, and being paralyzed with indecision.



In Chapters 7, 8 and 9, we add to the original conceptual framework of microinterventions, provide anti-bias strategies and tactics that disarm microaggressions, formulate new strategies associated with social advocacy principles directed at macroaggressions, and provide examples of effective and functional anti-bias actions and tactics that can potentially be used by targets, parents, teachers, significant others, allies and bystanders.