Students’ Experiences of Microaggressions in an Urban MSW Program

ABSTRACT

This study examines the phenomenon of microaggressions as experienced by students and perpetrated by students and faculty in one of the most ethnically and racially diverse MSW programs in the nation. Microaggressions are the daily slights, insults, and invalidations experienced by minorities, which are, in essence, subtle forms of racism and discrimination. Students (N=43) completed a questionnaire, providing descriptive and qualitative data on microaggressions targeting race, ethnicity, and other diversity characteristics and environmental microaggressions. Findings indicate that even where there is great diversity with the percentages in favor of people of color, microaggressions are strong and persistent. This study supports the need for more sophisticated multicultural teaching strategies and an increased focus on cultural humility among students and faculty.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rose Wong

Rose Wong is Associate Professor and Terry Jones is Professor Emeritus at California State University, East Bay.