Page 65 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

Microaggressive Themes 39

and family values. When people do well, they are considered to have
achieved their success through individual effort. The fl ip side of the coin
is those who do not succeed are also seen as possessing defi ciencies (lazy,
low intellect, etc.) (Jones, 1997). In the case of persons of color, there is little
recognition that higher unemployment rates, lower educational achieve-
ment, and poverty may be the result of systemic forces (individual, institu-
tional, and societal racism). Blaming the victim is the outcome of the myth
of meritocracy. Statements made to marginalized groups may be refl ected
in these comments: “ Everyone has an equal chance in this society, ” “ The cream

of the crop rises to the top, ” “ Everyone can succeed if they work hard enough, ”

and “ Affirmative action is reverse racism. ” All these statements potentially
imply that racism, sexism, and heterosexism is of little importance in a
group ’ s or individual ’ s success.
Microaggressions, whether they fall into the category of microassaults,
microinsults, or microinvalidations are detrimental to the well - being and
standard of living for marginalized groups in our society. In the next chapter,
we turn to a discussion and analysis of the psychological dilemmas created
by microaggressions and attempt to describe the psychological and internal
processes of both recipients and unintentional perpetrators.

The Way Forward

Defi ning, Recognizing, and Deconstructing Hidden
Messages in Microaggressions

Microaggressions are a constant and continuing reality for people of color,
women, and LGBTs in our society. They hold their power over both per-
petrators and targets because of their everyday invisible nature. In many
respects, all of us have been both perpetrators and targets. With respect to the
former, we have been guilty of having delivered microaggressions, whether
they are racial, gender, sexual-orientation, ability, religious, or class based.
Microaggressions are harmful to marginalized groups because they cause
psychological distress and create disparities in health care, employment,
and education. The first steps in overcoming racial, gender, and sexual

microaggressions involve the following.
(Continued)

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