This semester Dr. Kevicha Echols and Dr. Juan Morales-Flores continue as the co-facilitators of the DFIG.
Dr. Echols and Dr. Morales-Flores are responsible for organizing the meetings, planning the agenda, selecting reading materials, and updating the wiki page. We are planning to have four meetings for the Fall 2013 semester. Specific dates will be determined within the first two weeks of the fall semester.
We will use the book Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation by Derald Wing Sue. Chapters of Wing Sue’s previous book Microaggressions and Marginality: Manifestations, Dynamics, and Impact were read and discussed in the first year of the DFIG. We want to revisit Wing Sue’s work on this topic because it impacts many of us in a variety of forms in our daily lives inside and outside of the classroom.
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
October 2 & 3, 2013
We had two meetings to accommodate members who wished to attend the meeting but could only meet on either a Wednesday or Thursday. There was a good turn out in both meetings and we welcomed three new members to the group. After checking in, we discussed whether keeping both meeting times would be beneficial so that members as could participate. We decided that this would be best to maintain our groups’ attendance, interest, and to provide support.
We discussed Chapter 1 of Sue’s book. Most members related to experiences of microaggression outside and within the Kingsborough community that were similar to those documented in the chapter. We all agreed that these instances do happen daily. However, there are times when we may not exactly know how to handle them. Some members offered advice and resources for a member dealing with a particular situation.
We discussed having an event in which we would bring a speaker (who was suggested by one of the members) to KCC to discuss microaggressions and their effects. This is to be planned and determined.
October 30 & 31, 2013
We are happy to see the DFIG growing! Having two meeting times has really been beneficial for the group. We welcomed five new members to the group. At the meetings Juan and Kevicha announced that they were applying for the CUNY Diversity Development Fund grant to get funding for a DFIG event next semester. We are planning a symposium event for Spring 2014. Several members gave very helpful input and insight for us to consider for the grant as well as for planning the event.
We discussed the 3rd chapter from Sue’s book, The Psychological Dilemmas and Dynamics of Microaggressions. A couple of members shared their experiences of how microaggressions in professional settings had subsequent psychological effects. Other members shared ways they see microaggressions exhibited between students and the effects they have on them. One member asked for advice on how to deal with such instances in the classroom, and some members suggested resources and books that could be useful. We also discussed the importance of recognizing unconscious bias within oneself and the responsibility that comes with the awareness.
For the next meeting we agreed to read chapter 5 from Sue’s book.
November 20 & 21, 2013
For our last meetings of Fall 2013 members checked in and shared how things were going for everyone at this point in the semester, as it was coming to a close. We also discussed chapter 5 from Sue’s book Microaggressive Stress: Impact on Physical and Mental Health. Some members shared experiences of how work related stress manifested in their physical health status in some instances. Some also shared how having support from other faculty from minority groups (and support groups such as the DFIG) can be instrumental in having an outlet to discuss stressful situations at work that are a result of microaggressive behaviors.
We will continue using Sue’s book for the Spring 2014 semester and will also incorporate articles suggested by members. We announced the idea of having a meeting over the winter session if members will be on campus, however it is to be determined.
We were still waiting on the decision for the grant at the time of the meeting. We will hear a decision by the first week of December.
