"I Don’t Know what to Say!” Strategies for Responding to and Supporting Targets of Racial Microaggressions

Abstract

In this session, participants will be introduced to racial microaggressions, or subtle, denigrating messages conveyed to people of color based on their racial or ethnic identity. An overview of the existing research on racial microaggression will be presented, along with guiding principles and important considerations for responding to and interrupting racial microaggressions. After discussing several frameworks for addressing racial microaggressions, attendees will be invited to brainstorm and share ideas for supporting those who are experiencing racial microaggressions. One goal of the session will be for attendees to leave with concrete strategies that they, regardless of their position in an organization, can employ to interrupt and support people who are the target of microaggressions.