Tammy's new college roommate Cathy just moved into their apartment. Tammy asked Cathy, an Asian American female, what her major is, and Cathy replied "pre-med," Tammy said "oh yeah, that makes sense. Your parents are probably requiring you to become a doctor, huh? By the way, you speak English really well, you don't even have an accent!" What is this an example of?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tammy's comment about Cathy's parents and assuming that she has to become a doctor implies a stereotype about Asian Americans and their career choices. Additionally, Tammy's comment about Cathy's English proficiency suggests that she has a preconceived notion about how Asian Americans should speak English. These comments are microaggressions, which are subtle and often unintentional insults or put-downs towards marginalized groups.

Tammy's New College Roommate Cathy Just Moved into Their Apartment