Qualitative Research Reports in Communication
Volume 19, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 44-50

“I thought I’d have more trouble with white people!”: Exploring racial microaggressions between West African immigrants and African Americans (Article)

Dapherede Otusanya A. , Castle Bell G.
  • a Department of Communication, George Mason University in Fairfax, Fairfax, VA, United States
  • b Department of Rhetoric Communication and Theatre, Saint John’s University in Queens New York, United States

Abstract

Racial tensions continue in 21st-century United States through the communication of racial microaggressions. We are interested in the communication of racial microaggressions directed towards West African immigrants by people with whom they expected to be allied, African Americans. Sixteen people who identified as West African immigrants were interviewed about communication struggles with African Americans in this qualitative, interpretive analysis. Owen’s thematic analysis was employed to analyze interview data. Results suggest the communicative impact of racial microaggressions on recipients is far-reaching and consequential. Narratives illustrate microaggressive communication occurs daily through invalidating, dismissive lines of questioning as well as targeted name calling and pejorative dialogue. © 2018, © 2018 Eastern Communication Association.

Author Keywords

intercultural communication Racial Microaggresstions Thematic analysis Immigration Africa

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85064582341&doi=10.1080%2f17459435.2018.1468808&partnerID=40&md5=c3109a5604957b1588e0ccbe67970bf4
DOI: 10.1080/17459435.2018.1468808
ISSN: 17459435
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English