Abstract
Name-Based Microaggressions (NBMs) are a complex psychological phenomenon that occur under the broader umbrella of racism and racial microaggressions. Due to a lack of research in the field investigating the occurrence of NBMs both internationally and in the South African context, the current study aimed to fill the gap by investigating the experience of NBMs of Black South African university students by exploring the following question: How are NBMs experienced by Black university students in South Africa, and what are the psychological effects of such microaggressions? The objectives of the study were to explore how Black South African students experience NBMs, especially within the tertiary educational context, and to understand how NBMs impact Black South African university students in terms of the psychological consequences of NBMs. Data were collected by conducting eight semi-structured interviews online via Zoom, with Black South African university students from the University of Johannesburg. A qualitative exploratory design was used to collect data for a preliminary understanding of the phenomenon of NBMs in the South African context, using Critical Race Theory as a lens through which to critically examine NBMs and covert racism. Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis was used as a tool to analyse the qualitative first-hand subjective experiences of the participants. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thereafter, data were sorted into initial codes, and thereafter four main themes were derived from the data set. These themes encapsulated the experiences of the participants and included: The Significance of Given Names; Being an Inconvenience; Assimilation and Belonging; and The Psychological Effects of NBMs. The results supported the idea that everyday racism is widespread, and a critical lens is required to fully understand the pervasiveness and covert nature of racism today. Participants shared their experience of feeling like an inconvenience in society due to the presentation of their name, and the pressure they experienced to alter the presentation of their name in order to fit in to white dominated society. This is problematic given the significance of names in African naming practices. Participants discussed their difficulties with assimilating into the dominant culture in order to find a sense of belonging. The experience of NBMs and the process of assimilating was found to result in psychological consequences for the participants, including feeling disrespected and belittled; self-blame; anger, frustration, and irritation; embarrassment, anxiety and shame; and nonchalance, resignation and sadness.
Keywords: Name-Based Microaggressions, Racism, South Africa, Cultural Hegemony, Critical Race Theory.