In this assignment, we are expected to choose a technical term from our discipline or professional field, and then explain the term to the audiences that do not have any knowledge in this field in a professional manner. The objectives of this assignment are:
- Recognize the significance and role of definitions in technical writing.
- Understand how audience and purpose indicate the need for definition
- Identify the difference between the levels of details in the definition
- Choose the appropriate level of detail for the situation.
Term: microaggression
parenthetical definition: unintentional slight.
Sentence definition: microaggression is a type of discrimination which is subtle, unintentional discriminatory actions or statements were conducted to gainst people of the marginalized groups.
Expanded definition:
microaggression is a type of discrimination which is subtle, unintentional discriminatory actions or statements were conducted to gainst people of the marginalized groups. Unlike direct discrimination, microaggression is automatically or unconsciously conducted by people who are unaware of the hidden messages being sent.
Figure 1: The Iceberg Analogy
Note. Adapted from/ Inclusive School Communities – Disability Microaggressions in Education, by Dr. Leanne Longfellow. https://inclusiveschoolcommunities.org.au/resources/toolkit/disability-microaggressions-education
If we compare discrimination to an iceberg, then microaggression is a hidden iceberg.it is usually invisible but still can be hurtful and stigmatizing for minority groups. In the picture, the iceberg is split into two parts by a line representing what is shown above water and what is not under the water. The upper part represents overt discrimination, which includes hate speech, violence, abuse, neglect. The bottom part is labeled as Microaggressions, including assuming inherent qualities or abilities, the myth of meritocracy, being treated as a second-class citizen, ignoring/denying differences, denying personal bias, assuming homogeneity, inferiority or pathology of marginalized disability identity/ culture, and Ascription of intelligence, assuming the normality and superiority of non-disabled people, Refusing to acknowledge lived experience.
The term Microaggression was first coined by Harvard University psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce in 1970 to describe insults and dismissals which he regularly witnessed non-black Americans inflicting on African Americans. (Delpit, 2012) By the early twenty-first century, the phrase had come to refer to the casual degrading of any socially excluded group, including LGBT people, people with low financial status, and disabled people. (Paludi, 2020,p. 22)
Following questions or statements are examples of microaggression:
- Where are you actually from? (Kohli & Solórzano, 2012)
- You are very competent as a woman
- Your perseverance in the face of disability is truly inspirational to me.
- Oh, you’re gay? You should meet my friend Jane, she is gay too.
Following behaviors or actions are examples of microaggression:
- Assume a person of color is presumed to be dangerous, criminal, or deviant on the basis of their race.
- Assume people with mental illness look/behave a certain way.
- Assume all Asians are good at math.
- Assume people who aren’t in heterosexual relationships are unable to have a family
How to avoid microaggression?
- Think before speaking, think about what is the assumption behind what you would do, and say.
- Consider how your statement and behavior will affect others in a negative way
- Ask yourself if your question or statement is biased.
- Learn more about minority groups, be respectful of their culture and experiences.
Citation:
Delpit L (2012). “Multiplication Is for White People”: Raising Expectations for Other People’s Children. The New Press. ISBN 978-1-59558-046-7.
Longfellow, L. L. (n.d.). Inclusive School Communities – Disability Microaggressions in Education. Inclusive School Communities. https://inclusiveschoolcommunities.org.au/resources/toolkit/disability-microaggressions-education
Kohli, R., & Solórzano, D. G. (2012). Teachers, please learn our names!: racial microaggressions and the K-12 classroom. Race Ethnicity and Education, 15(4), 441–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/13613324.2012.674026
Paludi MA (2010). Victims of Sexual Assault and Abuse: Resources and Responses for Individuals and Families (Women’s Psychology). Praeger Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-313-37970-3.
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