“They may not always
be ill-intentioned, but the slights illuminate deeper problems in America”
By: Simba Runyowa
Published: The
Atlantic, Sep 18, 2015, http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/microaggressions-matter/406090/
Level of Difficulty: ***
EXAMPLES OF MICROAGGRESSION:
- “21 racial microaggressions
you hear on a daily basis” http://www.buzzfeed.com/hnigatu/racial-microagressions-you-hear-on-a-daily-basis#.vbAMXlq8Ze
WHAT IS MICROAGGRESSION:
A DETAILED LOOK
- “Reels Girl: Microaggression” https://prezi.com/ojnxvk7heueu/reels-girl-microaggression/ This presentation comes with three embedded videos
QUESTIONS
1. Read
the examples of microaggression provided in the first three or four paragraphs
of the text. In what way are such remarks different from insults?
2. The
fact that the remark made about the writer’s name involved no bad intentions
helped lessen the impact / helped increase the impact / had no impact.
3. What
does “This” refer to in the phrase “This particularly matters…”?
4. Why
exactly do people of color, LGBT people and the like feel alienated on
campuses?
5. We
understand from the text that microaggression can lead to………………………………which
involve a host of psychological effects.
6. Those
who encourage political correctness are accused of ……………………..and………………………
7. The
changing demographics of campuses necessitate…………………… but it is vital that
these new perspectives be motivated by…………………………….
8. Addressing
some on as “Ms.” Rather than “Miss. or Mrs.”, demonstrates……………………..
9. The
way to gain status according to the victimhood culture involves focusing
on……………..Yet what such people should be focusing on is………………………..
10. Would
Friedersdorf agree or disagree with the stance taken by the website “Oberline
Microaggressions”? Why
11. The
argument that a victimhood culture is being created is justified / is not
justified according to the writer because minorities who encounter
microaggression wish to be seen as victims/ wish to be silenced / wish to
silence everyone / wish to solve the problem.
12. Mark
the wrong answer(s): The existence of sites like Oberlin Microaggressions
proves that there is a problem that needs to be addressed / people should
not be touchy / people wish to be organized / aggressive racism still exists /
people like to make a fuss.
13. Microaggressions
are important when…………………………………………………………………………….
14. A
more inclusive society with greater empathy can only be created if……………………………
WRITING TASK
Use
the information you have gleaned to discuss how seriously microaggressions
should be taken and why.
MICROAGGRESSIONS
MATTER KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES
This text tackles a
serious but often trivialized problem: microaggression and its implications. It
also provides reasons why it should be taken seriously. There are a lot of
people who have encountered micro aggression but may not know that there is a
word to describe it. Hopefully, this activity will provide a good learning
opportunity in more senses than one.
1. They
do not necessarily reflect malicious intent
2. Had
no effect on the impact
3. Exercising
vigilance in interacting with those whose lived experiences are different than
our own
4. Because
microaggressions point out cultural difference in ways that put the recipient’s
non-conformity in sharp relief
5. Imposter
syndrome or stereotype threat
6. Creating
victims and evangelizing a new kind of moral righteousness
7. More
complex views of the world, empathy
8. An
acknowledgement of that person’s innermost identity (conferring both respect
and dignity)
9. Oppression
and social marginalization; their strength or inner worth
10. He
wouldn’t; because he would see Oberlin as the archetype of a malignant
victimhood culture
11. Wish
to solve the problem
12. People
like to make a fuss and people should not be touchy
13. They
expose the internalized prejudices that lurk beneath the veneer of our
carefully curated public selves / OR: They are linked to implicit biases
14. Microaggressions
are called out
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