Examples Of Racial Microaggressions

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RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS IN THE CLINICAL SETTING The Client-therapist Relationship Amongst Microaggressions Minorities often experience racial discrimination in transparent and subtle ways. The therapist-client relationship is not exempted from this problem. Unfortunately, even the most well-intentioned therapist may commit some type of subtle racism called a microaggression (Sue et al., 2007). Racial microaggressions are brief, everyday exchanges that send devaluing and harmful messages to a person because that person belongs to a minority group. They are often unconsciously delivered in the form of verbal slights or subtle dismissive behaviors (Sue et al., 2007). According to Sue et el, microaggressions appear in three forms: microassault,…show more content…
Microinvalidation is a form of microagression that excludes, negates, or nullifies the psychological thoughts, feelings, of a person of color. The article, Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for clinical practice, discusses the problem of unintentional, subtle acts of racial aggression, and how these could lead to distrust within the therapeutic relationship. The article also shared many statements made by therapist that were meant to be sympathetic and supportive yet still bothersome. “You speak good English.” Although such a statement can be seen as a compliment it sends the message that the client is not American. Such a statement may also communicate a belief that people from the client group lack proper education (Sue et al., 2007). The phrases “I don’t see you as Black. I just see you as a regular person” or “When I see you, I don’t see color” are a prime examples of colorblindness (Sue et al., 2007). Colorblind statements indicate that a white person does not want to acknowledge a race (Sue et al., 2007). It sends the message that race is not an important factor and it denies a minority’s racial…show more content…
The intention is that you want to relate or appear relatable to your client but the message that is sent is that your client’s oppression is no different from you, as the therapist. The example quote, “As a gay person, I know just what it’s like to be discriminated against because of race” is trying to relay a message that client and therapist are very similar when that more than likely will never be the case (Sue et al., 2007). In the example above, being any minority is not the same as being gay. Yes, both can be difficult but definitely not in the same
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