Event Description
Microaggressions continue to be the most pervasive and undetected contributor to racism in many institutions, including educational settings. However, microaggressions are not micro. For those who are the target of microaggressions, severe consequences on mental well-being and life trajectories can result.
In this presentation, Hieu will use her children’s picture book, The Little Girl to examine ‘What do microaggressions look and sound like in a racist system?’, ‘What are the effects of microaggressions?’ and ‘What can be done?’. Together, Hieu and participants will co-create and explore some practical strategies to overcome the difficult moments when microaggressions play a role and prevent progress for equity and antiracism.
EDI Scholar-in-Residence
Hieu Pham-Fraser
Hieu Pham-Fraser has worked as an educator for over 27 years. She is currently a District Principal supporting schools in the area of equity, diversity and inclusion in the Metro Vancouver area. To do anti-racism work in schools, Hieu draws from her own lived experience; her work with English language learners; and the multiple roles she has taken on as an educator in the public K-12 school system. Hieu believes that anti-racism work is an action-oriented framework and that everyone can be successful in sharing the responsibility to create and maintain diverse and inclusive spaces for all. Author of a children’s book The Little Girl, Hieu wrote this book because she saw a need for our society to understand what systemic racism can look like, sound like and feel like, even for very young children.
The Little Girl is a book enjoyed by many children aged 2 to 18, especially children of Asian descent as they can see themselves represented in stories. However, the lessons go much deeper for many adults as themes of microaggressions, structural racism and implicit bias can be reflected after reading this book. Hieu lives in Richmond with her husband, son and their dog, Cocoa. When she isn’t working, she enjoys gardening, reading and spending time with her good, critical friends who push her to think deeper and laugh harder.
Slides from this event
A Closer Look at the Role of Microaggressions in Racism
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