‘IT’S NOT SUPER OFFENSIVE. SO I JUST LET IT GO. THAT’S JUST THE WAY IT IS.’ EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS ON THE WELL-BEING OF SOUTH INDIAN SINGAPOREAN INDIANS IN THE WORKPLACE

Abstract

This dissertation addresses a significant research gap in microaggression research by investigating the impact of racial microaggressions on Singaporean Indians of South Indian descent in the workplace and its implications on psychological and social well-being. Although research has been conducted on microaggressions in Singaporean schools and workplaces, they have primarily focused on ethnic minorities in general. Furthermore, the current research on this demographic focuses on intra-ethnic tensions within the broader Indian community in a variety of settings. The presence of racial discrimination in Singaporean workplaces justifies the importance of this study. The Fair Employment Activities report conducted by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in 2022 highlighted the occurrence of discrimination pertaining to religion and nationality in Singaporean workplaces. In addition, several distressing incidents, such as an interracial couple being berated by a polytechnic lecturer, a racially insensitive advertisement from Shopback appropriating Indian cultures and customs, and the tragic suicide of Sgt Uvaraja S/O Gopal, who pointed out the overt racism he faced at the workplace in his suicide letter, emphasises the urgency of addressing racism against Singaporean Indians. Utilising Freeman & Stewart's harm-based account, I employed qualitative methodologies to understand the types of racial microaggressions experienced by Singaporean Indians of South Indian descent in the workplace, as well as their ramifications on psychological and social well-being. Subsequently, their impact on psychological and social well-being was evaluated through the job-demands resources model and Drexel University’s inclusive environments at work framework respectively. I also identified antecedent and moderating factors that would determine the relationship between microaggressions and well-being as well as antecedents and microaggressions. These results were subsequently utilised to identify potential areas for future investigation and formulate recommendations to combat microaggressions in the workplace towards Singaporean Indians of South Indian descent.