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Racial Microaggressions and Latino/Hispanic Americans 153

in racial microaggressive themes directed against Asian Americans: aliens in
their own land, ascription of intelligence, denial of racial reality, eroticization
of Asian American women, invalidation of interethnic differences, patholo-
gizing of cultural values/communication styles, second - class citizens, and
invisible (Sue, Bucceri, et al., 2007).

Psychological and Physical Health Consequences

Unlike the research on the effects of racism on African Americans, little exists
with respect to the impact on Asian Americans (Hwang & Goto, 2008; Liang,
Li, & Kim, 2002). Almost the entire research and scholarly literature on racism,
aversive racism, perceived racism, racism - related stress, and psychological/
physical health consequences are based upon the African American population.
Anecdotal and clinical observations and a few studies indicate that Asian
Americans do suffer enormously from the prejudice and discrimination they
receive (Inman & Yeh, 2007; Liang, Alvarez, Juang, & Liang, 2007; Mio et al.,

2007; Yoo & Lee, 2008).
In a study on the cost of racism to Asian American college students, it was
found that racism - related stress is associated with low self - esteem and inter-
personal and career problems (Liang & Fassinger, 2008; Zane & Song, 2007).
They believe low self - esteem may result from the internalization of devaluing
messages sent to Asian Americans, who thus feel more ashamed of themselves
or inferior; poorer or fewer interpersonal relationships were due to an increased
hypervigilance and suspicion of others; and the internalization of messages
makes them question their worth or ability to pursue certain higher - level occu-

pations. In addition to these life adjustment difficulties, racism - related stress
is associated with psychological distress, anxiety, and depression (Barry &
Grillo, 2003; Contrada et al., 2001; Hwang & Goto, 2008; Noh & Caspar, 2003),
feelings of social competence (Zane & Song, 2007), psychological well - being
(Kim, 2002), and feelings of belittlement, anger, rage, frustration, and alienation
(Sue, Bucceri, et al., 2007). It is clear that more research on the harmful impact
of racism on Asian Americans and how this group copes with race - related
stressors is needed (Liang et al., 2007).

RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS AND
LATINO/HISPANIC AMERICANS

Latinas/os comprise approximately 14% of the population, are among the
fastest growing group in the United States, have surpassed Black Americans

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