Discussion:
- The webinar discussed a lot of different types of microaggressions, but there are likely many more. What would you want to add or expand upon related to the different types of microaggressions presented?
- The articles in the homework talk about the various impacts of microaggressions – everything from cortisol levels, mental health, and team building. Are there other impacts you can think of or want to add to the conversation?
Activity:
It can be really difficult to both identify and then address a microaggression in the moment. This activity is meant to slow the process down so you can build your skills in being able to more effectively understand and speak about microaggressions.
Instructions for facilitation:
- Ask participants to get into groups of 3-4 people
- In their groups participants will:
- Pick one or two microaggressions to discuss, assign a note-taker for your breakout group, and one person to report back on your conversation.
- Discuss the hidden messages in the microaggression
- Discuss the possible impacts of the microaggression for the person who is on the receiving end
- Discuss the possible impacts on organizational culture if the microaggression is not interrupted (that is, what is the impact this is something you hear often in your workplace and you “let it go”?)
- Come back together as a group and debrief answers
Microaggressions for activity: these are some examples, but if the group would like to do this activity with microaggressions that are commonly heard in their day-to-day work, that is also a great option
- “You’d never guess it by looking at her, but she’s a really strong hiker/climber/backpacker/biker” (this could be about gender, but also about race, body size or ability. Choose a few options to explore and see how they could be similar and how they might be different).
- [to a Latine person] “how do we get more Latine folks interested in conservation?”
- “She’s really smart, but just so abrasive and difficult to work with.” (said about a woman of color colleague or partner)
- “Native American folklore tells us that these places are sacred and healing, and we have an obligation to protect them. There is a Native American proverb that says ‘We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children’”
- To a hiker using a wheelchair or mobility aid: “I’m so inspired by you — it’s so great to see how you’ve persevered in spite of your disability”
- “Working class people just don’t care about conservation; they’ve got other things to worry about, like putting food on the table”’
- To a person of color/woman: “How can I, as a White person/man, be anti-racist/feminist? I need you to help me.”
- [About a Black podcast host] “I really encourage you to listen to them; they are so articulate and impassioned about this work”
- Upon finding out a colleague is gay, “Oh, awesome – you know, I supported the bill to pass gay marriage”
