Culturally Nuanced Learning:
Racial Microaggressions
Nolan Zane, Ph.D. & Yvette Flores, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis
RACIAL
MICROAGGRESSIONS

In business, the term “microinequities” is a term
used to describe the pattern of being overlooked,
under- respected, and devalued because of
one’s race, ethnicity, or gender.

Microagressions are subtle, often automatic
exchanges which are “put downs” and
invalidations of ones’ racial or ethnic
experiences.
RACIAL
MICROAGGRESSIONS

These exchanges are so pervasive and automatic in daily
conversations. They are often dismissed and glossed
over as being innocent and innocuous.

They occur because the racial reality of people of color
is different from the racial reality of White Americans.

They are detrimental to persons of color because
microaggressions impair performance in the workplace,
in the classroom, and in other settings by sapping the
motivation and energy of recipients and by creating
racial and ethnic inequities.
Examples of Racial Microaggressions
Themes
Microaggression
Message
Alien in Own Land
When Asian Americans and
Latino Americans are assumed
to be foreign-born.
“Where are you from?”
“Your English is excellent.”
You are not American.
Mispronounce ethnic names.
Make no attempt to learn how to
pronounce name correctly.
“Do you speak Chinese?”
You are a foreigner.
Pathologizing Cultural
Values/Communication Styles
The notion that the values and
communications styles of the
dominant/White culture are
ideal.
Asking a Black person: “Why do you
have to be so loud? Just calm down.”
To an Asian or Latino person: “Why
are you so quiet? We want to know what
you think.” “Speak up more.”
Dismissing an individual who brings
up race/culture in work/school
setting.
Assimilate to dominant
culture.
Leave your cultural
baggage outside.
Themes
Ascription of Stereotypes
Applying stereotypes of people
of color that have no
foundation.
Microaggression
Asian students not chosen for
team captain in PE class.
You can’t play sports as well as
other students.
Telling an Asian female:
“You don’t have to worry about your
weight.”
You don’t know what it is like
to have to work to stay fit.
Second Class Citizen
Person of color mistaken for a
Occurs when a White person is service worker.
given preferential treatment over
a person of color.
Having a taxicab pass a person
of color and pick up a White
passenger.
Ascription of Intelligence
Assigning intelligence to a
person of color based on their
race.
Message
People of color are servants to
Whites and couldn’t possibly
occupy high status positions.
You are likely to cause trouble
and/or travel to a dangerous
neighborhood.
On a bus, Whites passing by
persons of color to sit next to a
White person.
I don’t feel comfortable sitting
next to you.
“You are so articulate.”
It is unusual for someone of
your race to be intelligent.
Asking an Asian person to help
with a math or science problem.
All Asians are intelligent and
good in math/sciences.
Examples of Racial Microaggressions
Themes
Microaggression
Message
Color Blindness
Statements that indicate that a
White person does not want
to acknowledge race.
“America is a Melting Pot.”
Assimilate/acculturate to
dominant culture.
“There is only one race, the human
race.”
Denying the individual as a
racial/cultural being.
Criminality/Assumption of
Criminal Status
A person of color is
presumed to be dangerous,
criminal, or deviant based on
their race.
A White man or woman
clutching their purse or
checking their wallet as a
Black or Latino approaches or
passes.
You are a criminal.
Yelling at and/or punishing a You are probably selling or
group of Black students
doing drugs.
‘loitering’ outside but not the
White ones.
Source: Sue, D.W. (2007). Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life. American Psychologist, 62, 276-277.