Combating the “Too Sensitive” Argument: A Demonstration That Captures the Complexity of Microaggressions

Abstract

Colorblind ideology provides individuals with numerous ways to minimize racism. This poses a challenge for instructors who teach about race and racism as students deploy this ideology to derail classroom discussions. Student resistance may be amplified when discussing microaggressions because students often characterize focusing on microaggressions as being “too sensitive” or trying to see racism where it does not exist. This article details a demonstration that attempts to move students past the too-sensitive argument so they can understand the complexity of microaggressions. An analysis of anonymous student reflections shows that the activity successfully conveys the cumulative impact of microaggressions, demonstrates how racism is embedded in everyday interactions, and encourages students to reflect on their own role in perpetuating and ending racism. In short, the demonstration helped students understand the structural and cumulative nature of microaggressions by combating the too-sensitive argument and encouraging a critical examination of racism.

Priming Students for Foundational Learning by Investigating Foundational Assumptions: A Critical Thinking Framework

“…Disciplines focusing on assumptions difficult to identify/ change will face greater challenges in restructuring mental models. For instance, racialized paradigms about ahistoricism, meritocracy, individualism, and color blindness make it difficult for students to understand structural causes of racial inequality (Eisen 2020). Sexuality and gender viewed through a biological essentialist lens (Izienicki 2022) makes it difficult to recognize gender as socially constructed and malleable.…”

"Y'all are just too sensitive": A computational ethics approach to understanding how prejudice against marginalized communities becomes epistemic belief

“…Colorblind Ideology Some people, however, profess the idea of a colorblind ideology by which they claim to be uninfluenced by societal bias or even deny the existence thereof [6]. This kind of ideology provides individuals with numerous ways to downplay and and deny the impact of racism [6]. Eisen identifies four types of colorblind racism: abstract liberalism, naturalization, cultural racism, and minimization of racism [6].…”

“…This kind of ideology provides individuals with numerous ways to downplay and and deny the impact of racism [6]. Eisen identifies four types of colorblind racism: abstract liberalism, naturalization, cultural racism, and minimization of racism [6]. "By employing these frames, individuals divert their attention away from racism and effectively engage in racialized discourse without appearing racist" [6].…”

“…Eisen identifies four types of colorblind racism: abstract liberalism, naturalization, cultural racism, and minimization of racism [6]. "By employing these frames, individuals divert their attention away from racism and effectively engage in racialized discourse without appearing racist" [6]. Individuals often react defensively when their beliefs are challenged.…”

“…Individuals often react defensively when their beliefs are challenged. As such, reluctance to acknowledge microaggressions is a common reaction [6]. Such defensive reactions might include the argument that those affected by microaggressions are just too sensitive.…”