"It was with great shock and sadness I read of Archie Fool Bear’s scoffing at the stories American Indian students told of their experiences at UND, saying, “They’re making everything out of nothing."

The students’ experiences are what C. Pierce, a Harvard psychiatrist, coined as “racial microaggressions,” defined as the subtle indignities and insults heaped on minorities during everyday exchanges, the demeaning messages sent to people of color by white people.

These subtle, stunning, often automatic acts of disregard and non-verbal exchanges which are put- downs of minorities by offenders, stem from unconscious attitudes of white superiority. This form of racism, though pervasive, is seldom investigated.

Instances may appear small, banal and trivial, but researchers are beginning to find they assail the mental health of recipients. In and of itself, a microaggression may seem harmless, but the cumulative burden of a lifetime of microaggression can contribute to a corrosive effect on confidence and the lives of Indian people."

Get the Story:
Denise Lajimodiere: Indian students unmasked racial microaggressions (The Grand Forks Herald 5/8)
pwpwd

Also Today:
UND nickname supporters refuse to give in, even as plans go forward (AP 5/10)
pwpwd

Related Stories:
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe delays action on 'Fighting Sioux' (5/5)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to weigh 'Fighting Sioux' petition (5/4)
Erich Longie: Such an outpouring of support for Indians (04/29)
Supporters of 'Fighting Sioux' push for tribal referendum (4/22)
Column: 'Fighting Sioux' supporters overlook race issues (4/22)
Column: Time for 'Fighting Sioux' supporters to move on (4/19)
Supporters of 'Fighting Sioux' still hopeful for tribal vote (4/15)
Editorial: Eliminating 'Fighting Sioux' was right decision (4/14)
Opinion: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe fails on Fighting Sioux (4/13)
North Dakota board kills 'Fighting Sioux' nickname and logo (4/9)
Delvin Cree: 'Fighting Sioux' dispute divided communities (5/3)
Editorial: Keep 'Fighting Sioux' nickname for North Dakota (4/8)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe puts off vote on 'Fighting Sioux' (4/7)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe considers 'Fighting Sioux' petition (4/6)
Column: Debate over 'Fighting Sioux' all about the money (3/25)
North Dakota court hears case on 'Fighting Sioux' name (3/24)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe pushed on 'Fighting Sioux' vote (3/23)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to get 'Fighting Sioux' petition (3/12)
Standing Rock petition calls for vote on 'Fighting Sioux' (3/3)
Column: It's past time to get rid of 'Fighting Sioux' nick (2/26)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' not honoring Indian people (2/22)
Board takes no action on status of 'Fighting Sioux' (2/18)
Letter: Give tribes time to think over 'Fighting Sioux' (2/17)
Erich Longie: Divide and conquer for 'Fighting Sioux' (2/15)
'Fighting Sioux' supporters want Standing Rock vote (2/10)
Column: Long saga over 'Fighting Sioux' continues (12/21)
Judge to issue 'Fighting Sioux' decision this month (12/10)
Judge to hear tribal member suit for 'Fighting Sioux' (12/9)
Michael Eshkibok: Colonization and 'Fighting Sioux' (12/7)
Tom Iron: A tribal backer of 'Fighting Sioux' name (11/23)
Police probe potential threats over 'Fighting Sioux' (11/20)
Standing Rock chairman not pushing 'Sioux' vote (11/19)
Editorial: Give tribe more time on 'Fighting Sioux' (11/16)
Editorial: A bizarre delay for 'Fighting Sioux' nick (11/12)
Judge orders delay on 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (11/10)