Experiences with Microaggressions and Discrimination in Racially Diverse and Homogeneously White Contexts

The interaction between one’s context and identity may be essential in understanding people’s racial experiences. Objectives: In this study we examined two contexts (racially diverse vs. homogenously White) and measured the experiences of discrimination and microaggressions for monoracial People of Color (POC), multiracial, and White individuals. Additionally, we measured experience of microaggressions with a new scale that addressed multiracial specific microaggressions, and offensiveness of these microaggressions. Methods and Results: Through a self-reported survey, monoracial POC, multiracial, and White individuals across the U.S. reported their experiences with discrimination and microaggressions, and offensiveness of multiracial specific microaggressions. Overall, monoracial POC and multiracial individuals reported experiencing less discrimination and microaggressions in diverse contexts vs. homogenous contexts. White individuals reported the lowest amounts of discrimination and microaggressions, which did not differ across contexts. Conclusions: Living in a racially diverse context may have positive benefits for racial minorities, and White individuals do not necessarily experience greater instances of discrimination or microaggressions in diverse contexts.