Page 82 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

56 the psychological dilemmas and dynamics of microaggressions

3. Time - limited responding — the incident is over before a response can be
made. Most microaggressive messages are embedded in a wider array
of communications in which multiple messages and meanings are
delivered during an interaction and encounter. They are also likely to
occur rapidly and are usually over in a very short period of time (usually
seconds). The passing innocent remark (a damning compliment), ignor-
ing a colleague of color (you are not worth my attention), describing a
female employee as “ bitchy ” (sexist remark), refusing to shake the hand
of a gay male (may catch AIDS), and many other incidents occur so
quickly that the moment for possible intervention has come and gone.
4. Denying experiential reality — engaging in self - deception by believing
it did not happen. Occasionally, people of color, in the face of a micro-
aggression, may deny the hidden and demeaning intent, meaning, and
impact. Statements such as “ They didn ’ t mean anything by that, ” “ It ’ s
just an innocent remark, ” or “ I ’ ve known John for years and he doesn ’ t
have a racist bone in his body ” are used to excuse the offender, to mini-
mize the offense, and to interpret the situation in a nonbiased manner.
In most of these cases, it appears that the denial of experiential reality is
due to two factors: (1) a close and interdependent relationship with the
offender, and/or (2) fear of acknowledging what the microaggression
may say about the recipient. In the first instance, entertaining the notion

that a favorite uncle or relative, close neighbor, or colleague, classmates,
or a friend might be unconsciously biased toward you and members of
your group may be quite devastating to a valued relationship. In the latter
instance, it might be equally difficult for marginalized group members

to accept the fact that they are perceived negatively. An adolescent of
color who yearns to be accepted by peers would be devastated to enter-
tain the possibility that he/she is perceived negatively because of his/
her race. To counter these two dynamics, self - deception may occur.

5. Impotency of actions — “ It won ’ t do any good, anyway. ” Believing
that one ’ s actions will have minimal positive impact on the situation is
another reason for inaction. People of color, women, and LGBTs have
often been in situations in which they have raised objections and acted to
educate others with the end result of only a minimal difference. Indeed,
sometimes the situation is made worse, as when a student of color con-
stantly raises multicultural and diversity issues in class, only to be seen
as a “ troublemaker ” and as having an “ axe to grind ” about race issues.
The individual may develop a sense of helplessness, powerlessness,

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