Microintervention Strategies: What Targets, Allies and Bystanders Can Do to Eliminate Bias

In this new and cutting-edge book, we extend and expand the concept of microinterventions to include their role in nullifying the harmful impact of microaggressions and macroaggressions directed toward marginalized groups in our society. Although we primarily use racial bias as an example, it is important to note that women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and other socially devalued groups in our society can also experience unfair and biased institutional policies and practices. Many of these anti-bias strategies seem equally applicable to combat sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and classism as well. Microintervention Strategies Contents Preface CHAPTER ONE: Taking Responsibility to Address Bias and Discrimination The Failure to Act The Relationship between Macroaggressions and Microaggressions How Macroaggressions Differ from Microaggressions Macroassaults in Institutional Policies and Practices Macroaggressions as Systemic Racism Macroaggressions in Standard Operating Procedures The Need to Take Action: People of Color, White Allies, and Bystanders Targets White Allies Bystanders CHAPTER TWO: What Are Microinterventions? Distinguishing Microinterventions from Macrointerventions Three Forms of Microinterventions: Strategies and Tactics Microaffirmations Microprotections Microchallenges CHAPTER THREE: Psychological Benefits of Microinterventions vs. the Psychological Costs of Inaction Active Anti-racist Interventions: Benefits and Costs For Targets For Significant Others For White Allies For Bystanders Prosocial Norms and Contexts Psychosocial Costs of Racism to Whites: Perpetrator Constriction vs. Liberation Cognitive Costs to Perpetrators Affective Costs to Perpetrators Behavioral Costs to Perpetrators Spiritual and Moral Cost to Perpetrators Perpetrator Liberation and Benefits CHAPTER FOUR: Barriers to Combatting Micro- and Macroaggressions Being Oblivious, Innocent, and Naïve Minimizing the Harm Maintaining Harmony and Avoiding Conflict Fearing Repercussions Isolation Loss of Position and Power Attacks on Character Psychological Stress and Burnout Violent Threats and Physical Harm Being Paralyzed and Feeling Impotent CHAPTER FIVE: Overcoming Silence, Inaction and Complicity Learn to Recognize and Decode Hidden Expressions of Bias Become Aware of the Toxicity and Harmful Impact of Micro/Macroaggressions Create Norms that Counter Conflict Avoidance and Enhance Racial Dialogues Appeal to Moral Values Undertake Antibias Training Create Fair and Just Societal and Organizational Policies and Practices Raising Race-Conscious Children Seek Social Support and Allies Obtain Skills and Tactics to Respond to Macroaggressions CHAPTER SIX: Microintervention Strategy and Tactics to Make the “Invisible” Visible Challenging Microaggressions Strategic Goal: Make Microaggressions Visible Tactic # 1 – Develop Perspicacity Tactic # 2 – Disempower the Innuendo by “Naming” It Tactic # 3 – Undermine the Meta-communication Tactic # 4 – Challenge the Stereotype Tactic # 5 – Broaden the Ascribed Trait to a Universal Human Behavior Tactic # 6 – Ask for Clarification of a Statement or Action Tactic # 7 – Make the Meta-communication Explicit by Restating/ Rephrasing the Statement or Action Tactic # 8 – Reverse, Redirect or Mimic the Statements or Actions of the Offender as If It Was Meant for the Perpetrator Challenging Macroaggressions Strategic Goal: Make Macroaggressions Visible Tactic # 1 – Monitor and Document Tactic # 2 – Encourage Implementing Systems of Evaluation and Accountability Tactic # 3 – Leverage Personal Power and Privileged Identities CHAPTER SEVEN: Microintervention Strategy and Tactics to Educate Perpetrators and Stakeholders Strategic Goal: Educate Perpetrators Tactic # 1 – Help Microaggressors Differentiate between Good Intent and Harmful Impact Tactic # 2 – Contradict the Group-Based Stereotype with Opposing Evidence by Personalizing It to Specific Individuals Tactic # 3 – Appeal to the Offender’s Values and Principles Tactic # 4 – Point Out the Commonalities Tactic # 5 – Promote Empathy Tactic # 6 – Point Out How They Benefit Strategic Goal: Challenging Macroaggressions through Education Tactic # 1 – Raise Critical Thinking Tactic # 2 – Support Antibias Education and Training Tactic # 3 – Highlight the Benefits of Diversity and Equity CHAPTER EIGHT: Microintervention Strategy and Tactics to Disarm Microaggressions and Macroaggressions Strategic Goal: Disarm Microaggressions Tactic # 1 – Interrupt the Communication and Redirect It Tactic # 2 – State Values and Set Limits Tactic # 3 – Express Disagreement Tactic # 4 – Describe What Is Happening Tactic # 5 – Nonverbal Communication Tactic # 6 – Use an Exclamatory Short Expression Tactic # 7 – Remind Them of the Rules Challenging Macroaggressions Nonviolent and Violent Actions Strategic Goal: Disarming Macroaggressions CHAPTER NINE: Microintervention Strategy and Tactics for Using External Support and Alliances Strategic Goal: Seeking External Support/Validation in Fighting Microaggressions Tactic # 1 – Alert Leadership Tactic # 2 – Report Incident Tactic # 3 – Seek Therapy/Counseling Tactic # 4 – Seek Spirituality/Religion/Community Support Tactic # 5 – Establish a Buddy System Tactic # 6 – Establish or Join a Support Group Microintervention Cautions Strategic Goal: Seeking External Support in Fighting Macroaggressions Tactic # 1 – Call on the Support of Human Rights Organizations Tactic # 2 – Initiate Governmental Action Tactic # 4 – Seek Community Support CHAPTER TEN: Microinterventions Prime Time for Developing Minds Talking Race to Children Microintervention Implications for Caretakers and Educators Make the Invisible Visible Educate Stakeholders Disarm the Micro/Macroaggression Seek External Support Implications for Future Study Conclusions References Name Index Subject Index EULA

Learn how you can help combat micro and macroaggressions against socially devalued groups with this authoritative new resource

Microintervention Strategies: What You Can Do to Disarm and Dismantle Indivdiual and Systemic Racism and Bias, delivers a cutting-edge exploration and extension of the concept of microinterventions to combat micro and macroaggressions targeted at marginalized groups in our society. While racial bias is the primary example used throughout the book, the author’s approach is applicable to virtually all forms of bias and discrimination, including that directed at those with disabilities, LGBTQ people, women, and others.

The book calls out unfair and biased institutional policies and practices and presents strategies to help reduce the impact of sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and classism. It provides a new conceptual framework for distinguishing between the different categories of microinterventions, or individual anti-bias actions, and offers specific, concrete, and practical advice for taking a stand against micro and macroaggressions.

Microintervention Strategies delivers the knowledge and skills necessary to confront individual and institutional manifestations of oppression. Readers will also enjoy:

- A thorough introduction to the major conceptual distictions between micro and macroaggressions and an explanation of the manifestations, dynamics, and impact of bias on marginalized groups.

- An exploration of the meaning and definition of micorinterventions, including a categorization into three types: microaffirmations, micorprotections, and microchallenges.

- A review of literature that discusses the positive benefits that accrue to targets, allies, bystanders, and others when microinterventions take place.

- A discussion of major barriers to acting against prejudice and discrimination.

Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in psychology, education, social work, and political science, Microintervention Strategies will also earn a place in the libraries of psychologists, educators, parents, and teachers, who hope to do their part to combat microaggressions and other forms of bias and discrimination.

Learn How You Can Help Combat Micro And Macroaggressions Against Socially Devalued Groups With This Authoritative New Resource Microintervention Strategies: What Targets, Allies And Bystanders Can Do To Eliminate Bias Delivers A Cutting-edge Exploration And Extension Of The Concept Of Microinterventions To Combat Micro And Macroaggressions Targeted At Marginalized Groups In Our Society. While Racial Bias Is The Primary Example Used Throughout The Book, The Author’s Approach Is Applicable To Virtually All Forms Of Bias And Discrimination, Including That Directed At Those With Disabilities, Lgbtq People, Women, And Others. The Book Calls Out Unfair And Biased Institutional Policies And Practices And Presents Strategies To Help Reduce The Impact Of Sexism, Heterosexism, Ableism, And Classism. It Provides A New Conceptual Framework For Distinguishing Between The Different Categories Of Microinterventions, Or Individual Anti-bias Actions, And Offers Specific, Concrete, And Practical Advice For Taking A Stand Against Micro And Macroaggressions. Microintervention Strategies Delivers The Knowledge And Skills Necessary To Confront Individual And Institutional Manifestations Of Oppression. Readers Will Also Enjoy: - A Thorough Introduction To The Major Conceptual Distictions Between Micro And Macroaggressions And An Explanation Of The Manifestations, Dynamics, And Impact Of Bias On Marginalized Groups. - An Exploration Of The Meaning And Definition Of Micorinterventions, Including A Categorization Into Three Types: Microaffirmations, Micorprotections, And Microchallenges. - A Review Of Literature That Discusses The Positive Benefits That Accrue To Targets, Allies, Bystanders, And Others When Microinterventions Take Place. - A Discussion Of Major Barriers To Acting Against Prejudice And Discrimination. Perfect For Undergraduate And Graduate Students Taking Courses In Psychology, Education, Social Work, And Political Science, Microintervention Strategies Will Also Earn A Place In The Libraries Of Psychologists, Educators, Parents, And Teachers, Who Hope To Do Their Part To Combat Microaggressions And Other Forms Of Bias And Discrimination. "A microinsult is characterized by communications that conveys rudeness, insensitivity and demeans a person's racial heritage or identity. Microinsults represent subtle snubs, frequently unknown to the perpetrator, but clearly convey a hidden insulting message to the recipient of color. When a White employer tells a prospective candidate of color that "I believe the most qualified person should get the job, regardless of race" or when an employee of color is asked "How did you get your job?", the underlying message from the perspective of the recipient may be twofold: (a) people of color are not qualified, and (b) as a minority group member, you must have obtained the position through some affirmative action or quota program and not because of ability. Such statements are not necessarily microaggressions, but context is important. Hearing these statements frequently when used against affirmative action makes the recipient likely to experience it as such. Microinsults can also occur nonverbally, as when a White teacher fails to acknowledge students of color in the classroom or when a White supervisor seems distracted during a conversation with a Black employee by avoiding eye contact or turning away (Hinton, 2004). In this case, the message conveyed to persons of color is their contributions are unimportant"-- Provided by publisher