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Exploring the Racial Microaggressions American Sign Language–English Interpreters Commit St. Catherine University SOPHIA Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies and Communication Equity Thesis or Action ASL & Interpreting Faculty Scholarship Research Project 5-2018 Exploring the Racial Microaggressions American Sign Language–English Interpreters Commit Cheryl Gallon St. Catherine University Follow this and additional works at: https://sophia.stkate.edu/maisce Part of the Accessibility Commons, and the American Sign Language Commons Recommended Citation Gallon, Cheryl. (2018). Exploring the Racial Microaggressions American Sign Language–English Interpreters Commit. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/maisce/1 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the ASL & Interpreting Faculty Scholarship at SOPHIA. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies and Communication Equity Thesis or Action Research Project by an authorized administrator of SOPHIA. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Exploring the Racial Microaggressions American Sign Language–English Interpreters Commit By Cheryl Gallon An Action Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies and Communication Equity St. Catherine University St. Paul, Minnesota May 2018 Faculty Advisor: Erica Alley, PhD Research Advisor: Leandra Williams, PhD Committee Member: Glenn Anderson, PhD Date Signature of Advisor EXPLORING RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS © Copyright by Cheryl Gallon May 2018 All rights reserved ii EXPLORING RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS Acknowledgements The completion of this research would not have been possible without the support and guidance of so many that make up my village. To the phenomenal inaugural cohort of the MAISCE 2018, I am grateful and honored to have taken this journey with you. I have learned so much from you and thank you for always listening and your constant support. To my review committee, advisors and the department faculty: Dr. Erica Alley, Dr. Leandra Williams, Dr. Glenn Anderson, and Paula Gajewski Mickelson, I offer my most sincere gratitude for your time and investment in guiding this research. Your steadfast advice and words of encouragement kept me going to never lose sight of the value of this research, and helped me to grow in ways I never thought were possible. Thank you to the Deaf Women of Color who participated in this study by allowing me to witness your stories. I am humbled by your trust, guidance, and generosity; without which, none of this would be possible. Thank you to all the Deaf People of Color that have contributed to this work, in all ways big and small, in ways formal and informal. Our friendships over the years have informed this work in immeasurable ways. I will continue to work with the field of interpreters in your honors toward transformative justice. Thank you to my dear friend Erica West Oyedele whose advice, feedback and unwavering support has helped to shape this research as wonderful start to a much-needed, deeper conversation in our field. Thank you to my numerous friends and colleagues who challenged, listened, and encouraged me when I was filled with doubt. A special thank you to Kathy Goodson, Amanda M. David, and Todd S. Agan who always made me feel heard and validated and kept me laughing with the best memes ever. iii EXPLORING RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS And finally, my deepest gratitude to my family. Thank you to my sister and brother in law Christine and Randy Henry. Your unyielding understanding and support of this journey has meant the world to me. I am so thankful for constant willingness to step up and pitch in to do anything in support of me. Thank you to my children, Quincy Shakur, Makai Archibald and Amira Leilani. Your love, patience, encouragement and understanding that I was not always available allowed me to dream big and go for it! I can only hope that this journey serves as a model for you to know that you can live out your wildest dreams! And lastly, to my husband, Marcus Gallon. You have forever kept me grounded and been my inspiration; been my champion, and one who challenges me. There are not enough words to express how grateful I am for your strength and endurance to take on the lion’s share of our home and family so that I could devote my attention to this work. I love you all! iv EXPLORING RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS Table of Contents Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………………………….…iii List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………………….1 Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………...2 Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………………………………………………………3 Background…………………………………………………………………………..........3 Statement of the Problem………………………………………………………………….4 Purpose of the Study………………………………………………………………………7 Theoretical Bases and Organization……………………………………………………....8 Chapter 2: Review of the Literature…………………………………………………………..11 ASL – English Interpreters………………………………………………………………12 Essential Concepts……………………………………………………………………….15 Privilege………………………………………………………………………….15 White Fragility…………………………………………………………...16 Intersectionality…………………………………………………………………..19 Microaggressions………………………………………………………………...21 Microaggressions in Academic Literature……………………………………………….25 Transformative Justice Theory…………………………………………………………..31 Deaf Community Cultural Wealth……………………………………………….32 Integrative Justice Model………………………………………………………...33 Transformative Justice Pedagogy………………………………………………..34 Chapter 3: Methodology………………………………………………………………………..38 Research Question……………………………………………………………………….40 v EXPLORING RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS Table of Contents (Continued) Methodology Design……………………………………………………………………..40 Data Collection…………………………………………………………………..42 Data Analysis…………………………………………………………………….43 Limitations……………………………………………………………………….44 Chapter 4: Results and Discussion of Findings……………………………………………….47 Participants……………………………………………………………………………….48 Identified Themes………………………………………………………………………..49 Microinsults……………………………………………………………………...51 Microinvalidations……………………………………………………………….53 Unique Categories………………………………………………………………..55 Impacts of Microaggressions…………………………………………………………….56 Desired Alternative Behaviors and Comments…………………………………………..59 Listen, Learn, Act………………………………………………………………..59 Chapter 5: Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….61 Summary…………………………………………………………………………………61 Historical Context to today’s practitioner………………………………………..62 Research findings………………………………………………………………...63 Recommendations to Interrupt Racism…………………………………………………..66 The work starts with self…………………………………………………………66 Current practitioners and interpreter education………………………………….67 Courageous conversations……………………………………………………….69 Future Research………………………………………………………………………….70 vi EXPLORING RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS Table of Contents (Continued) Closing thoughts…………………………………………………………………………71 References……………………………………………………………………………………….72 Appendices Appendix A Journal of Interpretation Reference list…………………………………………….82 Appendix B Interview questions…………………………………………………………………88 Appendix C Demographic Survey……………………………………………………………….92 Appendix D Recruitment Message………………………………………………………………94 Appendix E Informed Consent…………………………………………………………………..95 vii EXPLORING RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS List of Figures Figure 1: Total Microaggressions Identified……………………………………………..50 Figure 2: Participants’ Self-Identified Intersectional Microaggressions………………...51 1 EXPLORING RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS Abstract This phenomenological case study explores the racial microaggression committed by ASL– English interpreters. Data regarding microaggression events were collected by documenting experiences of Deaf People of Color through semi-structured interviews. To date, there is not any identified research investigating this topic. The field of professional sign language interpretation has a historical praxis of centering White epistemologies, while marginalizing the lived experiences of both Deaf and hearing People of Color in both formative interpreter education, as well as professional trainings. The growing interest in topics relating to social justice in the field of sign language interpretation has brought about an increase of investigations on issues of privilege and equity. Issues of social justice typically present solely as a binary comparison between lived experiences of Deaf and hearing people, without regard to their racial identity. This research aims to fill that gap. Seventeen microaggression events were shared by participants which fell into the categories of microinsults, microinvalidations and three unique themes. By recognizing the racial microaggressions ASL–English interpreters commit, practitioners are better situated to mitigate oppressive actions and practice with enhanced equity. Key words: Deaf People of Color, sign language interpreting, racial microaggressions, equity, privilege, transformative pedagogy 2 EXPLORING RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS Chapter 1 Introduction Background “If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” – Lilla Watson Watson, a Gangalu elder, Aboriginal activist, academic and artist has profound words that illuminate both the desires of the oppressed, and challenge the intentions and actions of allies working toward social justice. The work of social justice does not only benefit those that are oppressed, but by everyone confronting acts of injustice we all have the opportunity to gain liberation. Renowned authors of liberation and anti-oppression work
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