Microaggressions: Deux

In the November 2014 issue of Reference Notes I wrote a brief article about microaggressions. I shared information about what it means and what I learned from the workshop, “Identifying and Responding to Microaggressions” developed by the Diversity Outreach Collaborative of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Recently, a colleague called my attention to an article in the January 2015 issue of The Journal of Academic Librarianship, “Racial Microaggressions in Academic Libraries: Results of a Survey of Minority and Non-minority Librarians” (Hint: The full-text article can be located in ELM’s Academic Search Premier). It’s a good read and provides terrific material for discussion and further research questions. It’s refreshing to see an article in the LIS literature that specifically addresses microaggressions among academic librarians. The author, Jaena Alabi (Auburn University), begins with an informative literature search; takes a more detailed look into the development of microaggression as a concept; identifies three forms of microaggression (microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations); and addresses the negative outcomes of these pervasive, insidious denigrations. The article’s core purpose, however, is to discuss the methodology and results of a survey of academic librarians that was open from February 15, 2012 to March 30, 2012. Alabi’s research and survey attempted to address two questions:

• Are academic librarians of color experiencing racial microaggressions from their library colleagues?
• Do white academic librarians observe these derogatory exchanges directed at minority colleagues?

For the first question, survey results say…..yes! The results indicated that some academic librarians of color have not only experienced racial microaggressions from their colleagues but also have been treated differently than their white colleagues. For the second question, survey results say…not likely! The results indicated that while minority academic librarians were more likely to perceive racial microaggressions aimed at colleagues, non-minority librarians were unlikely to report observing any racial microaggressions. Despite efforts made to recruit minorities into librarianship, Alabi points out that the field of academic librarianship is over 85% white. Moreover, she stresses that further research and investigation into racial microaggressions could improve diversity recruitment and retention. Take a look at Alabi’s article and learn more about the survey. And for further information about microaggressions, join us for our upcoming webinar, “Identifying and Responding to Microaggressions,” with Jody Gray, Diversity Outreach Librarian, University of Minnesota Libraries - Twin Cities.