On Oct. 19, ETSU Office of Equity and Inclusion hosted a new session of their Lunch & Learn series, called “Microaggressions,” via Zoom.
Chassidy Cooper, Coordinator for the Office of Equity and Inclusion, was one of the presenters of the session on microaggressions. She wanted students to understand what the word “microaggressions” actually meant.
“According to Dr. Derald Wing Sue, microaggressions are brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to certain individuals because of their group membership,” said Cooper.
Cooper explained that microaggressions are not easily noticed and are very damaging.
“These communicative acts are pervasive and so automatic in daily conversations and interactions that they are often dismissed and glossed over,” Cooper said.
These sessions sought to clarify why and how microaggressions are daily happening in lives.
“Facilitators will break down the types of microaggressions, offer examples of how they occur in everyday life and how to effectively respond to microaggressions,” said Cooper.
The online event included many different faculty members, such as Dr. Teresa Carnevale, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing; Dr. Chassidy Cooper, Coordinator for Office of Equity and Inclusion; and Dr. Chelsie Dubay, Internet Program Support Coordinator.
The Lunch & Learn series will have two more sessions this semester on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9. The series will continue to be on zoom.
“On November 2, Dr. Debi Thibeault, Assistant Professor of Social Work, will discuss ‘Exploring Ways to Honor Indigenous People in the Classroom,'” Cooper said. “Dr. Nicholas Hagemeier, Associate Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Pharmacy, will conclude the series with ‘Wellbeing Through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ on Tuesday, November 9.”
For more information about the Lunch & Learn series, contact Kimberly Maturo at maturo@etsu.edu or go to the Office of Equity and Inclusion tab of the ETSU website to watch the sessions.
