Microintervention Strategies

DERALD WING SUE, PHD, is Professor of Psychology and Education in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at Teachers College at Columbia University. He is the author of 23 books and over 170 scholarly publications and has led extensive cultural diversity training for many Fortune 500 companies and institutions of higher education.

• Preface xiiiChapter One: Taking Responsibility to Address Bias and Discrimination 1The Failure to Act 5The Relationship between Macroaggressions and Microaggressions 7How Macroaggressions Differ from Microaggressions 9Macroassaults in Institutional Policies and Practices 11Macroaggressions as Systemic Racism 12Macroaggressions in Standard Operating Procedures 15The Need to Take Action: People of Color, White Allies, and Bystanders 17Targets 17White Allies 18Bystanders 20Chapter Two: What Are Microinterventions? 23Distinguishing Microinterventions from Macrointerventions 24Three Forms of Microinterventions: Strategies and Tactics 29Microaffirmations 30Microprotections 33Microchallenges 38Chapter Three: Psychological Benefits of Microinterventions vs. the Psychological Costs of Inaction 43Active Anti-racist Interventions: Benefits and Costs 46For Targets 49For Significant Others 49For White Allies 50For Bystanders 50Prosocial Norms and Contexts 52Psychosocial Costs of Racism to Whites: Perpetrator Constriction vs. Liberation 54Cognitive Costs to Perpetrators 56Affective Costs to Perpetrators 56Behavioral Costs to Perpetrators 57Spiritual and Moral Cost to Perpetrators 57Perpetrator Liberation and Benefits 58Chapter Four: Barriers to Combatting Micro- and Macroaggressions 59Being Oblivious, Innocent, and Naïve 63Minimizing the Harm 65Maintaining Harmony and Avoiding Conflict 67Fearing Repercussions 67Isolation 68Loss of Position and Power 69Attacks on Character 69Psychological Stress and Burnout 70Violent Threats and Physical Harm 71Being Paralyzed and Feeling Impotent 72Chapter Five: Overcoming Silence, Inaction and Complicity 73Learn to Recognize and Decode Hidden Expressions of Bias 74Become Aware of the Toxicity and Harmful Impact of Micro/Macroaggressions 76Create Norms that Counter Conflict Avoidance and Enhance Racial Dialogues 79Appeal to Moral Values 82Undertake Antibias Training 82Create Fair and Just Societal and Organizational Policies and Practices 82Raising Race-Conscious Children 83Seek Social Support and Allies 84Obtain Skills and Tactics to Respond to Macroaggressions 88Chapter Six: Microintervention Strategy and Tactics to Make the “Invisible” Visible 91Challenging Microaggressions 92Strategic Goal: Make Microaggressions Visible 93Tactic # 1 – Develop Perspicacity 93Tactic # 2 – Disempower the Innuendo by “Naming” It 96Tactic # 3 – Undermine the Meta-communication 96Tactic # 4 – Challenge the Stereotype 96Tactic # 5 – Broaden the Ascribed Trait to a Universal Human Behavior 97Tactic # 6 – Ask for Clarification of a Statement or Action 97Tactic # 7 – Make the Meta-communication Explicit by Restating/Rephrasing the Statement or Action 98Tactic # 8 – Reverse, Redirect or Mimic the Statements or Actions of the Offender as If It Was Meant for the Perpetrator 98Challenging Macroaggressions 99Strategic Goal: Make Macroaggressions Visible 100Tactic # 1 – Monitor and Document 101Tactic # 2 – Encourage Implementing Systems of Evaluation and Accountability 102Tactic # 3 – Leverage Personal Power and Privileged Identities 104Chapter Seven: Microintervention Strategy and Tactics to Educate Perpetrators and Stakeholders 107Strategic Goal: Educate Perpetrators 108Tactic # 1 – Help Microaggressors Differentiate between Good Intent and Harmful Impact 108Tactic # 2 – Contradict the Group-Based Stereotype with Opposing Evidence by Personalizing It to Specific Individuals 111Tactic # 3 – Appeal to the Offender’s Values and Principles 111Tactic # 4 – Point Out the Commonalities 112Tactic # 5 – Promote Empathy 113Tactic # 6 – Point Out How They Benefit 113Strategic Goal: Challenging Macroaggressions through Education 114Tactic # 1 – Raise Critical Thinking 116Tactic # 2 – Support Antibias Education and Training 117Tactic # 3 – Highlight the Benefits of Diversity and Equity 122Chapter Eight: Microintervention Strategy and Tactics to Disarm Microaggressions and Macroaggressions 125Strategic Goal: Disarm Microaggressions 129Tactic # 1 – Interrupt the Communication and Redirect It 129Tactic # 2 – State Values and Set Limits 130Tactic # 3 – Express Disagreement 130Tactic # 4 – Describe What Is Happening 131Tactic # 5 – Nonverbal Communication 131Tactic # 6 – Use an Exclamatory Short Expression 131Tactic # 7 – Remind Them of the Rules 132Challenging Macroaggressions 132Nonviolent and Violent Actions 133Strategic Goal: Disarming Macroaggressions 134Chapter Nine: Microintervention Strategy and Tactics for Using External Support and Alliances 151Strategic Goal: Seeking External Support/Validation in Fighting Microaggressions 152Tactic # 1 – Alert Leadership 155Tactic # 2 – Report Incident 155Tactic # 3 – Seek Therapy/Counseling 156Tactic # 4 – Seek Spirituality/Religion/Community Support 156Tactic # 5 – Establish a Buddy System 157Tactic # 6 – Establish or Join a Support Group 158Microintervention Cautions 158Strategic Goal: Seeking External Support in Fighting Macroaggressions 159Tactic # 1 – Call on the Support of Human Rights Organizations 160Tactic # 2 – Initiate Governmental Action 162Tactic # 4 – Seek Community Support 165Chapter Ten: Microinterventions 169Prime Time for Developing Minds 170Talking Race to Children 171Microintervention Implications for Caretakers and Educators 173Make the Invisible Visible 174Educate Stakeholders 176Disarm the Micro/Macroaggression 178Seek External Support 180Implications for Future Study 181Conclusions 184References 191Name Index 213Subject Index 221