Reflection 3: Implicit Associations
“No, where are you REALLY FROM?” (Kiyun Kim)
Once you have the word for them, microaggressions, you start to notice them everywhere. Whether they’re racial, gendered, sexual orientation-based or targeted at any other marginalized group, microaggressions are everyday negative messages that may take the form of a backhanded compliment.
“You speak English very well.”
“I have gay friends.”
“You people inspire me.”
“You don’t sound Black.”
Certainly these snide, derogatory remarks build up to have a pretty detrimental effect. I’ve always had an interest in psychology, so after our class discussion, I wanted to do a bit more research on the mental impact of microaggressions.
Prolonged stress, trauma, lowered self-esteem, isolation and feelings of helplessness are the tip of the iceberg of the psychological effects of microaggressions.
A study from the University of California found that the experience of frequent microaggressions among Latino and Asian American adolescents is associated with increased feelings of anger, anxiety and stress which contribute to serious mental health issues such as depression.
Research from the Department of Psychology at Oklahoma State University via a study conducted among 405 young adults of color found evidence for a link between racial microaggressions and suicidal ideation.
And in any case that concerns mental health, physical health is also influenced. A third study from the University of New York reported that racial microaggressions were found to predict various types of physical health conditions, such as general health problems, pain, lower energy levels and fatigue.
“In and of itself, a microaggression may seem harmless, but the cumulative burden of a lifetime of microaggressions can theoretically contribute to diminished mortality, augmented morbidity and flattened confidence,” said Harvard professor and psychiatrist Chester Pierce.
While microaggressions may not be initially considered as serious as overt discrimination, the incredible psychological and even physical harm caused by microaggressions can hardly be deemed “micro.”