Page 170 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

144 racial/ethnic microaggressions and racism

fact that Whites offered help at a much higher rate to White motorists
even when others witnessed the emergency along with them! In other
words, a diffusion of responsibility offered cover for them to mask their
racist behaviors to others, or to deceive themselves.

• Ideological ambiguity — When a philosophical ideology is used to justify
discriminatory treatment. In many cases, racism can be masked or dis-
guised when it is linked to symbols of conservative ideology and values.
For example, during the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama

was severely criticized for not wearing an American flag on the lapel of
his jacket. He was called unpatriotic and people questioned his devo-
tion to the country. Philosophical ideology can even combine in complex
ways to influence biased behaviors. When people express beliefs in meri-

tocracy, that racism has been eradicated, that anyone can succeed if they
work hard enough, and that we all operate on a level playing fi eld, then
it allows Whites in good conscience to vote against affi rmative action,
or to openly express opinions that people of color are lazy and simply
need to work harder to succeed. The racial microaggressive statement
“ I believe the most qualifi ed person should get the job ” may refl ect this
constellation of worldview beliefs.
• Failure to help instead of conscious desire to hurt — The type of racism
most likely to emerge is not a behavioral desire to hurt or injure, but is
instead a failure to help. Most White Americans no longer harbor intense
hatred and hostility toward people of color, but instead may express a
more “ benign ” form of racism that involves feelings of discomfort, uneas-
iness, and anxiety that result in avoidance or inaction. No other incident

better exemplifies this statement than the disastrous consequences of
Hurricane Katrina. The long - delayed FEMA rescue of primarily African
American residents left behind in New Orleans was scandalous, resulting
in many lost lives. Questions were asked about whether governmental
rescue attempts would have been quicker if the residents were primarily
White. Accusations of racism abound and President Bush was accused
of “ not caring. ” In essence, aversive racism theory would probably
not accuse Bush of not caring, but that White Americans “ did not care
enough. ” The failure to help in the case of Katrina is a ringing statement
of racism.
• Availability of other explanatory options — In essence, discrimination is
likely to emerge not when a behavior would look prejudicial, but when
other rationales can be offered for prejudicial behavior, and when we

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