Letters to their attackers: using counterstorytelling to share how Black women respond to racial microaggressions at a historically White institution

Abstract

Many Black women, especially those at historically White institutions (HWI), experience racial microaggressions on a regular basis. Although thought to have minimal impact in isolation, microaggressions can have severe consequences when experienced consistently over time. Among these consequences are anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Students also struggle with Racial Battle Fatigue, alcohol abuse, and negative self-esteem. Using Critical Race Theory (CRT) and counterstorytelling, this paper shares the experiences of Black women with racial microaggressions at an HWI. Data from this study suggest that while students respond in various ways, the most common response is to remain silent. Implications are discussed and recommendations are provided.

Keywords:

• Racial microaggressions
• Critical Race Theory
• counterstorytelling
• Black women

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Dr. William A. Smith for his support and mentorship while I conducted the study and wrote this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Additional microaggression literature informed by CRT includes, McCabe, (2009), Vaccaro (2017), and Yosso et al. (2009).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Angel M. Jones

Angel M. Jones is an adjunct faculty member at George Washington University. Her work focuses on how racism impacts the mental health of Black and Latinx students at historically White institutions. Her research interests include racial microaggressions, Racial Battle Fatigue, Critical Race Theory, counterstorytelling, and gendered racism.