Understanding and Addressing Microaggressions
Microaggressions take place in different contexts and are hostile behaviors targeting victims based on their membership in certain groups. Microaggressions are often xenophobic reactions directed at persons from underrepresented identity groups. Microaggressions are defined as “...brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral and environmental indignities, intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative slights and insults to the target person or group”. Microaggressions considerably harms the targeted persons and may create an unwelcoming environment for students, staff, or faculty at an institution.
This workshop focuses on what microaggressions are, common categories, reactions to acts of microaggression, and strategies for responding to microaggressions.
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Knowledge Levels
Beginner, no background required
Duration
1 hour, 30 minutes
Audience
Open to campus community: students, senior/executive leaders, faculty, and staff
Core understanding of EDI
- Increase awareness and understanding of microaggressions.
- Discuss strategies for addressing microaggressions.
- Increase understanding of ways to effectively respond to microaggressions?
New learnings
- Define a microaggression and identify when microaggressions occur in different settings e.g. the workplace.
- Discuss the importance of power dynamics and intent vs. impact as key considerations in the understanding of microaggressions.
- Explore and apply strategies to interrupt microaggressions when they occur.
- Reflect on the importance of empathy and awareness in understanding the impact of microaggressions.
Facilitators
Dr. William Yimbo (he/him)
Dr. William Yimbo, Senior Advisor for EDI Literacy, Education, and Training at the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, holds degrees from the University of Nairobi and the University of Minnesota. He conducts workshops promoting equity and inclusion at the university, with prior experience in diversity advising for Canada's immigrant communities. With a background in public policy, he brings extensive experience in administration from Kenya, Africa.
Workshop Prerequisites
Please review the workshop material below so that you can learn the most from the workshop. Reviewing this material in advance will allow you to engage in meaningful discussions, ask informed questions, and fully participate.
It’s our collective responsibility to create a more equitable and inclusive UCaglary and we all have an important role to play by learning and unlearning.
Dr. Malinda S. Smith, PhD
Vice Provost (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) and Associate Vice-President Research (EDI)