Page 130 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

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begin to see racism, sexism, and heterosexism everywhere; they may be
prone to externalizing all their failings and avoiding responsibility for their
own actions.

Forced Compliance: Surviving or Being Coopted
Among African Americans, the “ Uncle Tom ” label is often used to describe
members of their group who sell out or are subservient to the dominant White
culture. For LGBTs it may refer to “ staying in the closet ” and not revealing
their sexual orientation or dealing with internalized homophobia. In general,
these behaviors need to be viewed from the perspective of a racist, sexist, and
heterosexist environment that is responsible for the various behaviors used
by marginalized groups. Concealing true feelings, conforming to the norms
of the larger group, and behaving and expressing feelings in such a way as
to prevent offending or threatening Whites enhances the chances of survival
(Boyd - Franklin, 2003; Sue & Sue, 2008). Thus African Americans may use
defense mechanisms such as the Uncle Tom syndrome, “ playing it cool ” for
the purpose of protecting themselves from harm and exploitation. In the days
of slavery, many Blacks acted in a subservient manner, appeared docile, and
behaved passively for the sake of their own survival and loved ones. The
downside of the forced compliance demand may be internalized racism, inter-
nalized sexism, and internalized heterosexism, or “ selling out ” to advance in
society. These behaviors reveal an underlying attempt to please oppressors
in order be avoid punishments and attain rewards (being coopted), at the cost
of one ’ s identity or sense of integrity.

Rage and Anger
Behaviorally, a person may act out their rage, frustration, and hostility to
others, generally toward members of the dominant group (Grier & Cobbs,
1971). Years of forced compliance, assaults, and insults may lead some to
decide “ not to take it any more. ” They are often described as being constantly
angry, overly sensitive, and unpleasant to be around. They are likely to avoid
the oppressor, and not to form close interpersonal relationships. The opening
chapter monologue by an African American male reveals the intense irritability
and aggravation that sets off others, who see him as “ always having a chip
on his shoulder. ” In some respects, the intense rage may prove dysfunctional
because it leaves the person in a constant state of agitation, pushes people
away, and diminishes the joys of deep relationships with others. This is espe-
cially true when the anger becomes bitterness (Sue, 2003).

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