Page 164 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

138 racial/ethnic microaggressions and racism

U.S. defense capabilities, tells the riveting story of how he was arrested,
shackled, and jailed in a tiny solitary - confinement cell for 9 months based

upon suspicions that he was a spy. The case sparked controversy throughout
the country and brought forth issues of national security, McCarthyism par-
anoia, and racism. Judge Parker ’ s apology made on behalf of the American
people spoke volumes about how the government profi led, mistreated,
manufactured evidence, and deceived others based upon their belief that he
was a disloyal American who had sold out his country.
While many of the acts were forms of blatant racism directed against Lee,
reading the book gives a firsthand account of how racial microaggressions

played a major role in his incarceration. As he states, the government ’ s suspi-
cions, and the bias and beliefs of the media (most prominently the New York
Times ), played on the fears of the American public that Asians are foreigners,
spies, sneaky, and have greater allegiance to Asia. These beliefs, attitudes,

and fears reflected both a conscious and unconscious worldview of Asians in
America: they are more loyal to Asia, not true Americans, and are not to be
trusted in international affairs (DeVos & Banaji, 2005; Lee, 2001). The many
racial microaggressions directed toward Wen Ho Lee symbolized a White
Western European worldview that has historically been held toward Asian
Americans since immigration began.
In a study, for example, it was found that one of the most frequent racial
microaggressions directed toward Asian Americans is being perceived
as an alien or perpetual foreigner in one ’ s own country (Sue, Bucceri, Lin,
Nadal, & Torino, 2007). And, in a first of its kind survey conducted by the

Committee of 100 about American attitudes toward Chinese Americans and
Asian Americans (Hire Diversity, 2001), the following disturbing statistics
were found:

• 46% say Chinese Americans passing secret information to the Chinese
government is a problem.
• 32% believe Chinese Americans are more loyal to China than the United
States.

• 34% believe they have too much influence in U.S. high technology.
• 25% indicated strong negative attitudes and stereotypes toward Chinese
Americans.
• 23% are uncomfortable voting for an Asian American to be president of
the United States. This is in marked contrast to 15% for African Americans,
14% for a woman candidate, and 11% for a Jewish candidate.

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