“Withdrawal Syndrome”: The Effects of Acts of Microaggression in the Classroom on Racialized Students

Abstract

Racism and microaggressions remain a formidable challenge for racialized students within the Canadian educational system, significantly hindering their educational attainment. This paper presents an overview of the findings stemming from a qualitative study that delved into the repercussions of microaggressions within the classroom on racialized students in a Canadian university. The study employed a semi-structured interview guide for data collection, with the goal of shedding light on the experiences and effects of racism within the classroom. The study's results underscore the profound impact of microaggressions on racialized students, revealing a cascade of mental and emotional challenges triggered by these experiences. Furthermore, the research exposes how microaggressions can profoundly disrupt students' sense of belonging and dampen their level of engagement and participation in class activities. By contributing to the existing body of literature on racism in university settings, this study provokes important questions about the tangible manifestation of inclusivity and diversity values in the everyday dynamics of the classroom. It highlights a critical need for academic institutions to go beyond rhetoric and implement tangible measures that foster a truly inclusive and equitable educational environment. This study's implications extend to the domain of learning for racialized students, emphasizing the need to address microaggressions and racism within the classroom to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to thrive within the academic sphere. The study encourages further exploration of these issues and calls for proactive steps to create an educational landscape where diversity is celebrated and microaggressions find no place.