Microaggressions in the Classroom: Manifestation, Dynamics and Impact

In this invited address, Derald Wing Sue, PhD, of Teachers College, Columbia University, discusses microaggressions and how they relate to difficult dialogues in the classroom that deal with topics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc.. Sue describes ongoing research on microaggressions (defined as brief or commonplace indignities – whether intentional or unintentional – that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative racial slights and insults) and provides examples of these behaviors. He also outlines six basic characteristics of microaggressions and discusses the psychological dynamics involved.

This video was supported by a grant from the American Psychological Foundation, thanks to generous support from Lee Gurel, PhD.