September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 47
as a singular, innocuous comment
is received as insensitive, racist, and
often is another incident compounding
other similar experiences. They
create uncomfortable situations and
take a mental toll on the recipients.
Research has shown that experiencing
microaggressions repeatedly
causes psychological impacts over
time. Breaking the Prejudice Habit
(breakingprejudice.org) has an online
video that compares microaggressions
to mosquito bites. While
small in nature, they can leave a
stinging and sometimes lasting impact,
especially when received often.
You may have heard common microaggressive
statements, but do you
understand why they are offensive?
* Do you speak English? An assumption
often based on appearance only
* You speak good English for an immigrant.
The stereotype that people
do not immigrate from Englishspeaking
countries and/or the assumption
that someone is an immigrant
because they are a minority
* How many times has Johnny been
in trouble? A presumptive statement
that Johnny has been in
trouble previously
* Some of my best friends are (insert
the non-dominant group). Comes
across as a justification someone
is not racist, but it does not alleviate
a person from exhibiting bias,
discrimination or racism; also,
often the term " friend " is conflated
with an " acquaintance "
whose life experiences are not
understood by the other party
* You're so articulate. Comes across
as though the speaker is surprised
that the person is articulate for a
(insert the non-dominant group)
* I don't see color. Completely dismisses
physical
features and culture
* I don't really think of you as (insert
the non-dominant group). Denotes
someone's experience,
there is a specific perception of
how that group acts, looks, etc.
* You're pretty/handsome for a (insert
the protected category). The
" for a " insinuates an expectation
people in that category are not
typically pretty nor handsome
* Anything including " you people
... " or " those people ... " Assuming
all in a group do or say anything
unanimously is embracing
stereotypes, and the phrases
largely are thought of as racist
* " If you can't afford the program,
we have scholarships. " An assumption
about what someone can afford
based on race or appearance
* " Just calm down. " It is important
to distinguish between someone
who is expressive or uses a louder
tone versus someone who is
disruptive or threatening
* " I couldn't tell you have a disability. "
An assumption that all disabilities
are physical and visible
* " I am pleasantly surprised by your
success in this role. " Infers there
was an expectation for the person
to not be successful
DEI Solutions
There are also some general actions
individuals and organizations can do
to aid in acknowledging our biases
and preventing microaggressions.
* Slow down decision making.
Stop. Think. What made you come
to this decision about something or
someone? Could you be wrong?
* Identify and acknowledge your
biases. Be honest with yourself
about your biases and how they
factor into your interactions with
others and your decision making.
* Question your stereotypes. If
you have general beliefs about a
group, ask yourself where they
come from. Is it based on what
you've seen in the media or in
entertainment? Is it based on one
experience? And remember, no
group is without exceptions.
* Ask questions about assumptions.
Why did you say/think
that? How did you come to that
determination? Tell me what you
meant by that statement? Questions
such as these can help people
evaluate what is said or done.
* Distinguish instinct versus
analysis. Some scenarios require
quick thinking to address a concern,
or at times, you may have
a " gut feeling " about something
or someone. That is instinct.
However, there are times when
decisions should be made after
analyzing information.
* Use objective measures. Create
evaluation tools that are not solely
based on subjectivity.
* Consider installation versus application.
Implement a tool or
process to help discern if policies
are applied fairly and equitably.
* Survey. Create and implement
internal surveys that ask questions
about being a culturally responsive
work environment and
ensure your participant and community
surveys
ask
questions
from
a culturally responsive lens.
* " DEI " every project and goal.
In areas such as programming,
park design, master planning,
events and amenities, consider if
the organization is being diverse,
inclusive and equitable.
Individual and collective efforts to
understand and address our implicit
biases and microaggressions help us
to work and serve our communities
effectively and create better work
conditions. Addressing implicit biases
and microaggressions will aid the
park and recreation field in transformative
efforts to ensure welcoming
and equitable environments.
Tracee Hall, MPA, is Assistant Director of City of Phoenix
Parks and Recreation Department (tracee.hall@phoenix.gov).
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | SEP T EMBER 2 0 2 3
| Parks & Recreation
47
http://www.breakingprejudice.org
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2023 - Parks & Recreation
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Intro
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover1
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover2
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 1
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 2
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 3
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 4
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 5
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 6
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 7
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 8
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 9
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 10
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 11
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 12
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 13
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 14
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 15
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 16
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 17
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 18
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 19
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 20
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 21
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 22
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 23
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 24
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 25
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 26
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 27
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 28
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 29
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 30
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 31
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 32
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 33
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 34
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 35
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 36
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 37
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 38
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September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 45
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 46
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 47
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 48
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September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 50
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 51
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 52
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 53
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 54
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 55
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 56
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover3
September 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover4
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2025
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2025
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2021
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