28 MICROAGGRESSIONS
Addressing Microaggressions in the Workplace Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Abstract
Sandra Bland, Alton McCall, Breonna Taylor are names of Black people whose names have been on news sites and painted on social media outlets due to their unjustified deaths by authority figures triggered in the name of racism. These instances are what can be considered the most vile and overt acts of racism. However, before even acting in such an overt manner, racism can be identified in a more toned down way through microaggressions. Though considered “micro” the effects of such subtle racism still leave lingering effects to people of color. In this essay we will identify the origins of microaggressions, identify antecedents and consequences of microaggressions, and provide actionable next steps to take, to decrease microaggressions in the workplace.
Keywords
microaggressions
Ruth Benedict
microassaults
mircoinvalidations
microinsults
About
Shaneeria Persaud
M.A, BCBA
Shaneeria Persaud is a Black and Guyanese Board Certified Behavior Analyst(BCBA) and President of United Behavior Analysis, Inc. She has been involved in working with individuals with developmental disabilities since 2010 when she started as a paraprofessional in an Exceptional Student Education(ESE) classroom. Serving in this capacity ignited a strong passion within her to continue to serve this population and their families.
Ms. Persaud has worked her way through BACB credentials from being a Registered Behavior Technician(RBT) to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst(BCBA) and has disseminated behavior analytic services in the home, school, and community setting. She currently serves as a Behavior Specialist within a school district in the state of Florida where she services students with disabilities and assists families in any way that she can. As a service provider for individuals with disabilities, Ms. Persaud values collaboration with families, teachers, and other pertinent stakeholders to clients to provide the best services.
In her accomplishments, Ms. Persaud has presented on local, state, and international platforms. Most recently, she traveled to Nairobi, Kenya with the Global Autism Project. During her time there she worked alongside staff and team members to provide behavior analytic training, modeling, and consultation.
Some of Ms. Persaud’s most favorite pastimes include spending time with her husband Matthew, her dog Jazzy, and being surrounded by family. She also enjoys cooking international cuisine and exploring different cultures.
Stephanie Bolden
BCBA
Stephanie is a principled and passionate woman, who has recently been credentialed as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She is a proud Dillard University and Florida Institute of Technology alum! Her research interests include behavior analysts’ training and practices regarding cultural diversity, cultural and social determinants of behavior, behavior analysts’ supervisory relationships, and the benefits thereof.