Perhaps you have experienced them before

Perhaps you have experienced them before. Subtly racist remarks or sexist behaviors that left you feeling hurt, confused, or stunned.

Microaggressions—small actions and words that communicate bias and discrimination—are not always called out or easily identified because they are couched in the everyday. While hate crimes and hate speech are explicit and intentional actions, microaggressions are implicit and may be unintentional.

These qualities do not make microaggressions any less impactful than other forms of prejudice and discrimination. In fact, adolescents who experience daily microaggressions within a larger climate of systemic racism can become overwhelmed and experience significant psychological effects.

For this Discussion, you view a video case about an adolescent experiencing microaggressions. write your response to the adolescent as if you were her social worker, and then you reflect on your response.

TO PREPARE:

Review Learning Resources on ethnocentrism, racism, and microaggressions.

Watch the video case on Alex in Learning Resources. Reflect and consider how you would interact with Alex as a social worker.

(Video case Alex Case study scenario)

High school student Alex meets with the cheerleading coach to discuss trying out. Some weeks later, after increased depression following the meeting, Alex connects with a social worker.

Alex is a black girl that wanted to try out for cheerleading. Alex was so excited to try out for the team but when Alex met with the white cheerleading coach, the coach asked Alex where she was from, Alex then said she was from the south city that she took the bus to attend the school that was mostly white dominant. The coach then said to Alex “you seem well spoken” Alex said thank you and bowed her head.

The white coach then said to Alex “Are sure you want to be a cheerleader? I do not think you should roll out basketball.” Alex was depressed. After that video call.

Assignment

Write your response in which you imagine yourself responding to the student Alex as a social worker.

What practice skills did the social worker demonstrated?

Explain the potential impacts of ethnic and racial microaggressions on psychological development in adolescence.

Describe how you would work with the student to curb these negative impacts. Draw on the values and ethics of the profession in your response.