Racial microaggressions and the power to define reality.

Replies to comments by T. E. Schnacht (see record 2008-05553-009), K. R. Thomas (see record 2008-05553-010), R. S. Harris Jr. (see record 2008-05553-011), and R. Goodstein (see record 2008-05553-012), on the current authors' original article (see record 2007-07130-001) which discusses racial microaggressions. The reactions by three of the four respondents to our article on racial microaggressions illustrate nicely the invisible nature of aversive racism and how well-intentioned Whites often dismiss, negate, and minimize the experiential reality of People of Color (POC). For too long POC have not had the opportunity or power to express their points of view. For too long their worldviews have been diminished, negated, or considered invalid. For too long they have been told that their perceptions are incorrect, that there are other logical and rational reasons for the actions of others (especially on racial issues), and that their assertions have no empirical validity. These latter responses are clearly evident in the comments by Schacht (2008), Thomas (2008), and Harris (2008), who continue to question the racial realities of POC using a number of false analogies, surface arguments, and flawed reasoning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)