Verbal comments or behaviors that exclude, negate, or dismiss the psychological thoughts, feelings, or experiential reality of the target group (e.g.  “the most qualified person should get the job”)

Racism is the overarching societal paradigm that tolerates, accepts, and reinforces racial inequalities, and is associated with racially unequal opportunities for children to learn and thrive. Racial inequalities result in the discriminatory treatment of people of minority status. For instance, individuals from historically marginalized racial groups may be perceived as less worthy or less intelligent than those from the majority culture. At the same time, children or communities from the majority culture are allowed to maintain their established privileged and valued status. This privilege can result in better treatment and opportunities than are afforded to others within educational systems and other social institutions. The presence of racism in educational settings harms everyone, but has the most negative and lasting impact on racial minority groups (Pollock, 2008).

 It includes direct or indirect, overt or subtle action(s) by the majority group that limit the economic, political, educational, and social opportunities of a minority group. Negative cultural stereotypes about specific races have resulted in discriminatory practices with a devastating impact on the academic achievement of children of color (Bobo & Fox, 2003).

When Asian American and Latino Americans are assumed to be foreign born "Where are you from?"; A white client does not want to work with an Asian American therapist because she will "not understand where she's coming from" 

Assigning intelligence to a person of color or a woman based on his or her race/gender "How did you become so good in math!"; A school counselor acts surprised when an Asian-American student has problems with a math test

Statements that indicate that a white person does not want to acknowledge race "There is only one race, the human race."; A client of color is concerned with expressing things with her white therapist and the therapist says, "I don't see your color." 

A person of color is presumed to be dangerous, criminal, or deviant based on their race -- A white person waits to ride the next elevator when a person of color is in it; A therapist takes great care to ask all substance-abuse questions in an intake with a Native American Client 

Terms that exclude or degrade women and LGBT persons -- Using the pronoun "he" to refer to all people; A client discloses that she's in a relationship and the therapist assumes it's a man 

Denial of individual racism/sexism/heterosexism/religious discrimination

A statement made when bias is denied "I'm not racist. I have several Black friends." A therapist indicates that race does not affect the way she treats her clients 

Statements that assert that race or gender does not play a role in life success "I believe the most qualified person should get the job"; A school counselor tells a black student that "if you work hard you can succeed like everyone else" 

Pathologizing cultural values/communication styles

The notion that the values and communication styles of the dominant/White culture are ideal -- Dismissing an individual who brings up race/culture in work setting; Advising a client, "Do you really think your problem stems from racism?" 

Occurs when women are treated like objects at men's disposal -- Whistles and catcalls as a woman walks down the street; A male therapist is looking at his female client's breasts while she is talking 

It occurs when a target group member receives differential treatment from the power group - female doctor mistaken for a nurse; Clients of color are not welcomed by receptionists 

Occurs when expectations of traditional roles or stereotypes are conveyed -- a woman is assumed to be a lesbian because she does not put a lot of effort into her appearance; a therapist makes a face when a female client mentions she had a one night stand 

Occurs when it is implied that there is something wrong with being LGBT - Two men holding hands in public receives stares; when discussing the client's bisexuality, the therapist continues to imply that there is a "crisis of identity" 

Occurs when people frantically try to help people with disabilities -- Someone helps you onto a bus or train when you don't need it 

Occurs when any aspect of a person's identity other than disability is ignored or denied "I can't believe you are married?" 

Occurs when a LGBT, women of color, or a religious minority is treated as a foreign object for the pleasure/entertainment of others. "Tell me some of your wild sex stories!" to an LGBT person