Racial microaggressions and the Asian American experience.
Racial microaggressions were examined through a focus group analysis of 10 self-identified Asian American participants using a semistructured interview and brief demographic questionnaire. Results identified 8 major microaggressive themes directed toward this group: (a) alien in own land, (b) ascription of intelligence, (c) exoticization of Asian women, (d) invalidation of interethnic differences, (e) denial of racial reality, (f) pathologizing cultural values/communication styles, (g) second class citizenship, and (h) invisibility. A ninth category, "undeveloped incidents/responses" was used to categorize microaggressions that were mentioned by only a few members. There were strong indications that the types of subtle racism directed at Asian Americans may be qualitatively and quantitatively different from other marginalized groups. Implications are discussed.
Sue
Derald Wing
DW
Teachers College, Columbia University, Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, New York, NY 10027, USA. dw2020@columbia.edu
Bucceri
Jennifer
J
Lin
Annie I
AI
Nadal
Kevin L
KL
Torino
Gina C
GC
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012928:Social Desirability; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires