Abstract

Microaggression is a comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group. Microaggressions are often subtle and ambiguous, it's often hard to know if you're committing one or if you're on the receiving end. The recipients of microaggressions always feel a sense of powerlessness and invisibility, while the aggressors are often unaware of the harm they’ve brought. The impact of microaggressions always negatively affects both mental and physical health of recipients and results in persistent health problems.

My goal of the thesis is to make the invisible visible. Leverage technology to help people notice and rethink their microaggression behavior in real time, educate and inform people to interact better with each other.

The first step to solve the problem is to raise awareness of unconscious behavior in real time during the conversation. People should be able to recognize their own inappropriate actions or be reminded by other people immediately so that they can realize what is considered unacceptable. Learning to be empathetic is another factor in the process. People need to experience and feel emotionally and mentally while confronting with each other so that the aggressor will be more understanding about the recipient’s feeling and the impact of a certain microaggression.

It's also important to help people form a consistent habit and an inclusive mind to change their inappropriate behavior in a long-term period. They will be able to view and track specific types

of microaggressions based on their activities and get a reminder of their performance in a daily basis to help them keep aware of what they are saying and doing all the time.

It is hoped that my exploration in microaggression can bring more awareness to people and help them address microaggressions more easily and confidently.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Microaggressions--Interactive multimedia--Design; Racism in language--Interactive multimedia--Design; Anti-racism--Interactive multimedia--Design

Publication Date

6-10-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Visual Communication Design (MFA)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Design (CAD)

Advisor

Adam Smith

Advisor/Committee Member

Miguel Cardona

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

VISCOM-MFA

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