Slips of the tongue, unwitting favoritism, and stereotyped assumptions are just some examples of microaggression. Nearly all of us commit microaggressions at some point, even if we don’t intend to. Yet over time a pattern of microaggression can cause considerable harm by reminding members of marginalized groups of their precarious position.
The Ethics of Microaggression is a much needed and clearly written exploration of this pervasive yet complex problem. What is microaggression and how do we know when it is occurring? Can we be held responsible for microaggressions and if so, how? How has social media affected the problem? What role can philosophy play in understanding microaggression? Regina Rini explores these highly topical and controversial questions in an engaging and fair-minded way, arguing that an event is a microaggression precisely because it causes a marginalized person to experience an ambiguous encounter with oppression. She illustrates her argument with compelling examples from media, politics, and psychology and explains the significance of essential concepts, such as media representation, reparative renaming, and safe spaces.
The Ethics of Microaggression explains what microaggression is and offers strategies for combating it. Assuming no prior knowledge of the topic or philosophy, it demystifies a controversial and extremely important topic in clear language. It is ideal for anyone coming to the topic for the first time and for students in philosophy, gender studies, race theory, disability theory, and social and political philosophy.
Author(s): Regina Rini
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2020
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Little things, big harms
Inarticulate bloviating
Microaggression skepticism
A plea to conflict-averse egalitarians
Notes
1. Microaggression basics
Chester Pierce and the ways of aggression
Microaggression gets a little bigger
Modern microaggression research
Frequently asked questions
Is microaggression really harmful? Sure, little snubs are annoying, but how is anyone getting hurt?
Fine, microaggressions are harmful. But isn't it just hurt feelings? That's not a big deal.
But aren't some people just being paranoid? Aren't they seeing insults everywhere?
But come on. It's right there in the word: 'micro'-aggression. That means small, tiny, insignificant. Why should we make such a big deal out of micro- harms when there are great big harms in the world?
Fine, 'micro' doesn't mean insignificant. But what about the 'aggression' part? Lots of these things are unintentional, slips of the tongue, just plain screws-ups. How is that aggressive like throwing bricks through windows is aggressive?
Fine. But why does this have to get all wrapped up in identity politics? Why all this talk about oppression? What about me, a straight white man (etc.)? People are rude to me all the time. Why won't you say that I'm a victim of microaggression too?
Now for the details
Notes
2. All in the eye of the beholder?
Motivations and doubts
Varieties of microaggression skepticism
Whose viewpoint counts (more)?
Ask an expert
The problem of tragic coincidences
The Ambiguous Experience Account of microaggression
The trauma of ambiguity
Unsettling accounts
Notes
3. Collective harm and individual blame
The machinery of oppression
The Structural Account of microaggression
Bad environments
Mass torture, the harmless way
Redwood furniture
Double-barreled collective harm
Blame and luck
Notes
4. Agency problems: Ignorance and lack of control
Showing off your catapult
Elusive ignorance
Updating the subpersonal
Sneaky subroutines of oppression
The mindless epidemiology of prejudice
Drunk on stereotypes
Moral agency gets out of control
Provisional conclusions: It's complicated
Notes
5. Proleptic blame
How to greet party guests
Blame for lab rats
The strains of involvement
Shame, shame, shame
Proleptic blame
From theory to practice
Notes
6. How to do better
Remote control
Pseudoproblems: Brainwashing and censorship
Mental tire rotation
Institutional solutions for collective harm
Safe space
Reparative renaming
The anti-oppression chore wheel
Notes
7. Uptake failure and dismissal
Uptake failures
Victimhood narratives and coddling panic
Bystanders, allies, and risks
The paradox of proleptic blame
Notes
8. Skillful blame and social media chaos
The paternalism problem
Blaming the blamers?
Talking down
Calling out and calling in
Virtue signaling
Social media chaos
Notes
Conclusion: Justice for an imperfect world
References
List of examples and thought experiments
Index
