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In an effort to help you manage microaggressions that you may experience,
consider the following tips:
1. Remain calm and take a deep breath. 4. Be clear about the different elements
Before assuming someone’s intent and reacting right away, of a microaggression.
find a way to pause the conversation and clarify the statement. Who said or did what? Who was in the room? Were others com-
If it’s the first time you’ve been in this situation with this indi- plicit in their silence or agreement? What is the relationship
vidual, you should ask them to repeat what they said. That will between you and the sender? Was this the first time or is this
give them the opportunity to restate more clearly, or even real- an ongoing issue? Having a clear understanding of the factors
ize that they were being hurtful without knowing. Responding that surround the microaggression helps you evaluate your
with anger will only work against you. next steps strategically, rather than emotionally.
2. Don’t go to the extreme. 5. Develop your own way to handle
Taking extreme stances either as a victim or a tough person microaggressions.
will ultimately hurt you. By seeing yourself as a victim, you Thinking there is a cookie-cutter approach will sabotage your
are, in a way, helping the aggressor disempower you. Tough- efforts from the beginning. Follow these suggested steps, con-
ing it out and moving past it, we create the illusion of strength sider thoughts from other resources, and customize them to
without having processed the effects of the microaggression your fit your own situation.
properly.
HFA’s Care Access Working Group (CAWG) serves the bleed-
3. Focus on the event, not the person. ing disorders community with a focus on rural communities
By directing the conversation to the behavior, event, or com- and those who have difficulty accessing quality care. If you
ment, you will decrease the likelihood of a defensive response. have questions or ideas about inclusive language, please con-
tact cawg@hemophiliafed.org. n n
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©2016. Octapharma USA Inc. All rights reserved. Summer 2017 | Dateline Federation 9
Date of preparation: 2/2016. NUW-012-CAD
