Page 150 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

124 microaggressive perpetrators and oppression

attempt to appear unbiased in social interactions by pretending not to notice
racial differences (Apfelbaum et al., 2008; Sue, 2004). Studies suggest that many
Whites fear that whatever they say or do will appear racist; thus, avoidance,
pretense, and mystification guide their behaviors (Dunton & Fazio, 1997;

Gaertner & Dovidio, 2005; Plant & Devine, 1998). Denial is the major defense
used in this stage of development.
The fear of appearing racist has both a positive and negative quality about
it. On the one hand, and in an ironic way, it reaffirms a belief in equity and the

intrinsic worth of everyone. It is heartening to know that many Whites con-
sciously believe in equal opportunity, democracy, and social justice as taught
to us in the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence.
Thus, managing and/or preventing prejudice from occurring may be seen as
a positive aspect of personal character. On the other hand, it indicates that
many people may possess less than desirable attributes associated with race
and gender. In some respects, it may indicate recognition that many possess
hidden biases that are at odds with these cherished beliefs. Considerable
evidence indicates, however, that in racially related situations, strategic
color blindness and impression management are unsuccessful for Whites;
their nonverbal behaviors give the opposite impression, and their verbali-
zations become hesitant, convoluted, and full of broken utterances, all of
which are indicative of anxiety (Apfelbaum et al., 2008; Utsey, Gernat, &
Hammar, 2005). In essence, many Whites desperately attempt to hide their
prejudicial attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors not only to others, but to them-
selves as well.

Layer Two — Fear of Acknowledging One ’ s Racism
Strategic color blindness has been postulated as an attempt to appear unbi-
ased to others in interpersonal interactions that possess race - related implica-
tions. If we peel away that layer, however, there appears to be a deeper fear—a
potential revelation that one possesses racial biases. More frightening may be
what Mark Kiselica concludes in the extract from his book quoted previously:
“ I was also disturbed by the painful realization that I was, in some ways, a racist. ”
He continues his racial awakening by indicating that he has been complicit
in benefiting from the oppression of others, although unknowingly (Kiselica,

1998). The resistance to acknowledging racist attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors
in oneself is linked to a major conflict dealing with self - image and identity.

As mentioned previously, White Americans on a conscious level have been
taught and genuinely believe in egalitarian values, that everyone should be

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