Microaggressions & Racial Anxiety

Microaggressions

The term microaggression was introduced in 1970. At that time, the term was used to describe the “subtle discrimination that Black people experienced in the United States,” often automatic and nonverbal exchanges that are ‘put downs’ ( Nedal K.L, 2008, p 39 ). Research has shown that microaggressions can result in physical traumatic symptoms such as anxiety and emotional intensity.

Symptoms Of Racial Anxiety

To list a few, from the University of Illinois Counseling Center, symptoms of racial anxiety include:

  • Depression

  • Decreased psychological well being

  • Feeling tired and having trouble concentrating on things

  • Hopelessness and helplessness

  • Isolation

Racial Microaggressions

The concept of racial Microaggressions was introduced in the field of psychology in 2005. It was until 2007 that racial microaggressions would be recognized and gain extensive psychological research attention (Derthick et al., 2014, p. 182). Racial microaggressions are described as ‘‘subtle insults (verbal, nonverbal, and/or visual) directed toward racial minorities, often automatically or unconsciously’’ (Solorzano et al. 2000). It is important to emphasize that oftentimes racial microaggressions are “hidden” in daily interactions(Derthick et al. 2014, p. 182). These aggressions go beyond insults, and day-to-day exchanges have a bigger impact them most people assume.

Forms of microaggressions:

  1. Microassault - Often unconscious and sometimes verbal, that looks down upon a person’s racial heritage and intelligence (Being treated differently because of your race).

  2. Microinsult- Often conscious and explicit racist behaviors that intend to bring hard (Name calling).

  3. Microinvalidation- Incocous behavior that denies the living experiences of people of color.