The Microag-Aggression Process Model

The author identifies the “Microaggression Process Model” and each of the five steps that occurs when one receives a microaggression. Phase 1 is the incident in which the microaggression occurs, and can happen in subtle, blatant, or within symbolic incidents by the environment or an individual/individuals (69). These can also occur in verbal or nonverbal forms (71). Phase 2 involves the questioning of the incident, in which the victim wonders if the assault was intentional and if bigotry actually existed within the aggression (72). Many people often try to justify the microaggression, or deny it, as if fearing the truth. Phrase 3 involves “strong cognitive, behavioral, and emotional reactions” from the microaggression. This is described as …show more content…
Phase 4 involves the meanings and symbolism behind these aggressions, one of these messages being that the victim “does not belong” and that they are not normal, compared to the dominant group (77). Other messages that the victim feels are behind the microaggressions are that they are cognitively inferior, are unable to be trusted, and that everyone in that marginalized group is all the same (79). The final stage is “consequences and impact” and involves the psychological effects these aggressions leave. Some of these effects include powerlessness in controlling and dealing with the microaggression, and invisibility and underappreciation of the victim’s value. Another effect the victim feels is a loss of pride because they are forced to comply, or be silenced from reaction, in order to avoid these microaggressions, or avoid being accused of “overreacting” if they do speak out against them (81). One of the biggest burdens they are imposed with iis the feeling that they are constantly representing their group, and thus tokenized by others’ general and stereotypical assumptions …show more content…
These effects are not just short lived but can have serious, long term effects on those targeted, in which they adopted a process in coping with these as a means for survival and sanity. This is also important for those who may be guilty of producing microaggressions to understand because often they are only concerned with their own psychological feelings, such as feelings of guilt or shame when these aggressions are realized, but fail to put themselves in others’ shoes. If they do recognize the victims’ reactive feelings, such as anger, they are only able to relate this to “overreaction” and not stemming from true, genuine offense. The recognition of this model represents just how prominent and active microaggressions occur. It is unfortunate that this model may have been created to help victims cope and overcome these type of assaults that occur as a result of bigotry, instead of a model created for those to avoid using microaggressions and to increase awareness of their own utilization of them. This may unfortunately shift the responsibility from the offender to the victim, as if they need to be responsible for these occurrences and be in control of their reactions, despite