Microintervention Strategies What You Can Do to Disarm and Dismantle Individual and Systemic Racism and Bias

Learn how you can help combat micro and macroaggressions against socially devalued groups with this authoritative new resource 

Microintervention Strategies: What You Can Do to Disarm and Dismantle Indivdiual and Systemic Racism and Bias, delivers a cutting-edge exploration and extension of the concept of microinterventions to combat micro and macroaggressions targeted at marginalized groups in our society. While racial bias is the primary example used throughout the book, the author’s approach is applicable to virtually all forms of bias and discrimination, including that directed at those with disabilities, LGBTQ people, women, and others.  

The book calls out unfair and biased institutional policies and practices and presents strategies to help reduce the impact of sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and classism. It provides a new conceptual framework for distinguishing between the different categories of microinterventions, or individual anti-bias actions, and offers specific, concrete, and practical advice for taking a stand against micro and macroaggressions.  

Microintervention Strategies delivers the knowledge and skills necessary to confront individual and institutional manifestations of oppression. Readers will also enjoy:  

- A thorough introduction to the major conceptual distictions between micro and macroaggressions and an explanation of the manifestations, dynamics, and impact of bias on marginalized groups. 

- An exploration of the meaning and definition of micorinterventions, including a categorization into three types: microaffirmations, micorprotections, and microchallenges. 

- A review of literature that discusses the positive benefits that accrue to targets, allies, bystanders, and others when microinterventions take place. 

- A discussion of major barriers to acting against prejudice and discrimination. 

Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in psychology, education, social work, and political science, Microintervention Strategies will also earn a place in the libraries of psychologists, educators, parents, and teachers, who hope to do their part to combat microaggressions and other forms of bias and discrimination. 

DERALD WING SUE, PHD, is Professor of Psychology and Education in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at Teachers College at Columbia University. He is the author of 23 books and over 170 scholarly publications and has led extensive cultural diversity training for many Fortune 500 companies and institutions of higher education.

Chapter 1 – Taking Responsibility to Address Bias and Discrimination

• The Failure to Act

• The Relationship Between Microaggressions and Macroaggressions
  • Macroassaults in Institutional Policies and Practices
  • Macroaggressions as Systemic Racism
  • Macroaggressions in Standard Operating Procedures
  • The Need to Take Action
    • Targets
    • White Allies
    • Bystanders

Chapter 2 – What are Microinterventions?

• Distinguishing Microinterventions from Macrointerventions

• Three Forms of Microinterventions
• Microaffirmations
• Microprotections
• Racial Literacy and Critical Consciousness
• Promote Ethnic Pride
• Preparation for Racism

• Microchallenges

Chapter 3 – Psychological Benefits of Microinterventions and the Psychological Costs of

• Inaction

• Active Antiracist Interventions: Benefits and Costs
  • Targets
  • Significant Others
  • White Allies
  • Bystanders
  • Prosocial Social Norms and Contexts
  • Psychosocial Costs to Whites

Chapter 4 – Barriers to Combatting Micro and Macroaggressions

• Being Oblivious, Innocent and Naïve

• Minimizing the Harm

• Maintaining Harmony and Avoiding Conflict

• Fearing Repercussions

• Being Paralyzed and Impotent

Chapter 5 – Overcoming Silence, Inaction and Complicity

• Learn to Recognize and Decode Hidden Expressions of Bias

• Become Aware of the Toxicity and Harmful Impact of Micro/Macroaggressions

• Create Norms that Counter Conflict Avoidance and Enhance Racial Dialogues

• Seek Social Support and Allies

• Obtain Skills and Tactics to Respond to Micro/Macroaggressions

Chapter 6 – Microintervention Strategies to Make the “Invisible” Visible

• Strategic Goal: Make Microaggressions Visible
  • Develop perspicacity
  • Disempower the innuendo by naming it
  • Undermine the meta-communication
  • Challenge the stereotype
  • Broaden the ascribed trait
  • Ask for clarification of a statement or action
  • Make the meta-communication explicit by restating/rephrasing the statement or action
  • Reverse and restate the compliment, action and role as if was meant for the perpetrator
  • Strategic Goal: Make Macroaggressions Visible
    • Monitor and document
    • Encourage implementation of systems of evaluation, accountability and rewards
    • Leverage your power and privileged identities

Chapter 7 – Microintervention Strategies to Educate Perpetrator and Stakeholders

• Strategic Goal: Educate Perpetrators
  • Differentiate between intent and impact
  • Appeal to the offender’s values and principles
  • Point out the commonality
  • Promote empathy
  • Point out how they benefit
  • Strategic Goal: Challenging Macroaggressions through Education
    • Raise critical thinking
    • Support anti-bias education and training
    • Highlight the benefits of diversity and equity

Chapter 8 – Microintervention Strategy and Tactics to Disarm Microaggressions and Macroaggression

• Strategic Goal: Disarm Microaggressions
  • Express disagreement
  • State values and set limits
  • Describe what is happening
  • Use an exclamation
  • Use nonverbal communication
  • Interrupt and redirect
  • Remind them of the rules
  • Strategic Goal: Disarm Macroaggressions
    • Protest and persuade
    • Engage in civil disobedience
    • Challenge the status quo through media
    • Enhance collective action

Chapter 9 – Microintervention Strategies for Using External Support and Alliances

• Strategic Goal: Seeking External Support/Validation in Fighting Microaggressions
  • Alert leadership
  • Report
  • Therapy/counseling
  • Spirituality/religion/counseling
  • Buddy system
  • Support group
  • Strategic Goal: Seeking External Support/Validation in Fighting Macroaggressions
    • Call on the support of human rights organizations
    • Initiate legislative action
    • Seek community support

Chapter 10 – Microinterventions - A Call to Action for Caretakers and Teachers

• Prime Time for Developing Minds
• Talking Race to Children

Chapter 11- Microintervention Implication for Caretakers and Educators

• Make the “Invisible” Visible

• Educate Stakeholders

• Disarm the Micro/Macroaggression

• Seek External Support

• Implications for Future Study

• Conclusions

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