Examining Effects and Responses to Racist Nativist Microaggressions in Chicana Students’ Testimonios and Healing Through Conocimiento

• In Event: Roundtable Session 25
  In Roundtable Session: Ethnic Groups, Microagression, and Social Capital

Abstract

This study draws from 40 testmonio interviews with 20 undocumented and U.S. born Chicana college students to examine the effects and responses to racist nativist microaggressions—subtle, daily and cumulative forms of racism the women encounter in schools. Findings reveal how students internalize the oppression they are subjected to in education. These internalizations lead to academic self-doubt and lower expectations of themselves in school. We also found that despite these experiences, the women created counterspaces that challenged racist nativist microaggressions and sought to transform them. To conclude, we discuss how Anzaldúa’s (2002) concept of conocimiento can help theorize how Chicanas engage in a process of healing from such race-based trauma.

Authors

• Lindsay Perez Huber, California State University - Long Beach

• Bert Maria Cueva, University of California - Los Angeles