Understanding Microaggression and Intercultural Conflict in the Singapore Context

Definition of “microaggression” from Merriam-Webster

Definition of “microaggression”from Merriam-Webster:“a comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group (such as a racial minority)”You are tasked with writing a report to share at a forum on ethnic identity and culture organised by a local academic institution and community organisation. For further information please refer to the news article from Todayonlineby Toh (2018).The forum organisers are also planning to distribute this report to government agencies to support Racial Harmony Day.In this report, with reference to the concept of microaggression in the Singapore context, appraise the relationship between prejudice and intercultural conflict.Use the following points as a framework to develop a better understanding of culture and how it colours our worldview and affects our communication and relationships with people from other cultures:ï‚·Begin by reviewing the two required readings by Danao (2019) and Toh (2018). Upon understanding what microaggressions are in the local context, conduct a literature review and write an introduction to your report that will explain how microaggressions affect and have an impact on our communication with other people Analyse the social and cultural factors that exist in the context within which we grew up, which colours the relationships we have with people from other cultures. To strengthen this portion of your report, you are expected to conduct secondary research of both quantitative and qualitative studies (research from credible sources such as academic journals) as well as primary research in the form of qualitative data collection (interview; see next paragraph) to back up your assertions and opinions.To obtain credible qualitative data from different perspectives, you are required to conduct in-depth interviews with four interviewees: (i) two who are born and raised in Singapore and (ii) two who have lived in Singapore for less than three years. Examine their understanding and experiences of microaggression, within or outside of Singapore, in order to add depth and detail to your analysis of the influence of social and cultural factors relevant to microaggressions. For these interviews, you must refer to one of the comics illustrated by Rachel Pang in Danao (2019) to elicit your interviewees’ reactions and opinions.With reference to your literature review and analysis that form the body of your report, summarise the key initiatives to building a discrimination-free community in your report’s conclusion. This will include recommendations on how to create awareness about microaggression and its impact, in addition to strategies to reduce the display of microaggressions.