This section will cover how you can take action against micro-aggressions as: a witness, a target, and a perpetrator.

How to take action as a witness

The following is a communication framework that you can use in the case that you witness micro-aggressions taking place in the classroom.

A.C.T.I.O.N Framework

How to take action as a target

As a target, you can also follow the A.C.T.I.O.N framework as seen above.

How to take action as a perpetrator

To take action, you can take the following steps:

Listen to understand the impact of your behaviour.

Engage in reflection to gain understanding of the harm caused.

Apologize. Don't ask the person who was harmed to trust that your act was unintentional. Instead, focus on the role you played & the impact your actions had.

Do better. Continue to learn more about implicit bias, privilege and related topics & make sure to translate this knowledge into action to not repeat the same mistake of harming others via micro-aggressions.

Sources

Cheung, F., Ganote, C. M., & Souza, T.J. (2016). Microaggressions and microresistance: Supporting and empowering students. In Faculty Focus Special Report: Diversity and Inclusion in the College Classroom.Magna Publication. http://www.facultyfocus.com/free-reports/diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-college-classroom/

“Documentation:Microagressions in the Online Classroom.” Documentation:Microagressions in the Online Classroom - UBC Wiki, https://wiki.ubc.ca/Documentation:Microagressions_in_the_Online_Classroom.