Page 99 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

The Microaggression Process Model 73

Phase Three — Reaction Processes
In the reaction phase, a more integrated response of the person becomes
central in dealing with the offending event, the emotional turmoil, and the
need for self - care. This process refers to the target ’ s immediate response that
is more than a simple “ yes, ” “ no, ” or “ ambiguous ” perception of the event.
It represents an inner struggle that evokes strong cognitive, behavioral, and
emotional reactions. Several common reactions are described here (Sue,
Capodilupo, & Holder, 2008; Sue, Capodilupo, et al., 2007).

Healthy Paranoia
A very common response from many marginalized group members is called
“ healthy paranoia or cultural mistrust, ” which seems to operate before,
during, and after a microaggressive incident. Because experiences of prejudice
and discrimination are a social reality for many marginalized groups, they
have developed a healthy suspicion of the motives and behaviors of mem-
bers of the dominant culture (Croteau, Lark, et al., 2005; Ponterotto, Utsey,
Lance, & Pedersen, 2006; Ridley, 2005; Sue & Sue, 2008). As indicated by racial
minorities, for example, survival is dependent on the ability to discern the true
motives of their oppressors (Sue, 2003). Healthy paranoia calls for the recipi-
ent of microaggressions to give equal or even greater weight to viewing inci-
dents from past experiences of prejudice and discrimination, and not simply
by what the offending person says: “ I ’ m not against interracial relationships, but

I worry about the children. ” This statement contains an overt and explicit state-
ment ( “ I ’ m not racist ” ) followed by a more ambiguous one ( “ I am ambivalent
about interracial relationships only because I worry about the children ” ). From
past experiences of people of color, the coded message of the last statement is
really an unconscious statement of one ’ s own racial bias.
Many people of color, women, and LGBTs will thus determine their
reality by viewing events through the prism of their experiences with racism,
sexism, and homophobia. People of color often state that they encounter
numerous White colleagues, neighbors, and friends who often deny their
racial biases, but that their behaviors belie such denials. To live in a constant
state of “ questioning ” is emotionally draining because of the overwhelm-
ing number of microaggressive incidents that take place in the course of any
given day. The following conversation from a Black informant typifi es this
dilemma:

“ Well, to me it ’ s almost one of those things where you actually have to admit
to a level of paranoia. I mean you have to sort of somehow — to begin to examine,

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