Racial Microaggressions and the Asian American Experience
A recent study by five Columbia University researchers led
by Professor Derald Wing Sue identified the following eight common themes
that arose in Asian Americans' lived experiences of race.]
Most of the participants acknowledged that the majority of those who engaged
in microaggressions did so unintentionally, and the perpetrators often
perceived their own remarks or actions in a positive light (interest in the
Asian American person: "Where were you born?"). Nevertheless, most of the
Asian American participants were clear that the remarks reflected a biased
worldview that tended to communicate something negative and disrespectful
about their group. In general, it appears that most of the Asian American
participants experienced psychological conflict and distress because of
several dilemmas they faced.
This article appeared in the March 5, 2007 edition of the New York Times.
Published Friday, Mar. 23, 2007