The Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS) is a tool used to measure the frequency and severity of microaggressions experienced by people of color. Microaggressions are defined as subtle, often unconscious, verbal or behavioral expressions of racism, sexism, or other forms of prejudice. They can be intentional or unintentional, but they have a negative impact on the recipient. The REMS was developed in 2020 by a team of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. It is a self–report scale that assesses the frequency and severity of microaggressions experienced by people of color in the past month. The scale consists of 16 items and is designed to measure both the frequency and severity of microaggressions. The items are divided into four categories: verbal, nonverbal, environmental, and institutional. The REMS is a useful tool for assessing the prevalence of microaggressions in a given population. It can be used to identify areas of potential improvement in terms of reducing microaggressions and creating a more inclusive environment. It can also help researchers gain a better understanding of the impact of microaggressions on people of color. The REMS is an important tool for assessing the prevalence of microaggressions and identifying areas of improvement. It is a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners alike in understanding the impact of microaggressions on people of color.
In the past six months
1. I was ignored at school or at work because of my race.
2. Someone’s body language showed they were scared of me‚ because of my race.
3. Someone assumed that I spoke a language other than English.
4. I was told that I should not complain about race.
5. Someone assumed that I grew up in a particular neighborhood because of my race.
6. Someone avoided walking near me on the street because of my race.
7. Someone told me that she or he was colorblind.
8. Someone avoided sitting next to me in a public space (e.g.‚ restaurants‚ movie theaters‚ subways‚ buses) because of my race.
9. Someone assumed that I would not be intelligent because of my race.
10. I was told that I complain about race too much.
11. I received substandard service in stores compared to customers of other racial groups.
12. I observed people of my race in prominent positions at my workplace or school.
13. Someone wanted to date me only because of my race.
14. I was told that people of all racial groups experience the same obstacles.
15. My opinion was overlooked in a group discussion because of my race.
16. Someone assumed that my work would be inferior to people of other racial groups.
17. Someone acted surprised at my scholastic or professional success because of my race.
18. I observed that people of my race were the CEOs of major corporations.
19. I observed people of my race portrayed positively on television.
20. Someone did not believe me when I told them I was born in the US.
21. Someone assumed that I would not be educated because of my race.
22. Someone told me that I was “articulate” after she/he assumed I wouldn’t be.
23. Someone told me that all people in my racial group are all the same.
24. I observed people of my race portrayed positively in magazines.
25. An employer or co-worker was unfriendly or unwelcoming toward me because of my race.
26. I was told that people of color do not experience racism anymore.
27. Someone told me that they “don’t see color.”
28. I read popular books or magazines in which a majority of contributions featured people from my racial group.
29. Someone asked me to teach them words in my “native language.”
30. Someone told me that they do not see race.
31. Someone clenched her/his purse or wallet upon seeing me because of my race.
32. Someone assumed that I would have a lower education because of my race.
33. Someone of a different racial group has stated that there is no difference between the two of us.
34. Someone assumed that I would physically hurt them because of my race.
35. Someone assumed that I ate foods associated with my race/culture every day.
36. Someone assumed that I held a lower paying job because of my race.
37. I observed people of my race portrayed positively in movies.
38. Someone assumed that I was poor because of my race.
39. Someone told me that people should not think about race anymore.
40. Someone avoided eye contact with me because of my race.
41. I observed that someone of my race is a government official in my state
42. Someone told me that all people in my racial group look alike.
43. Someone objectified one of my physical features because of my race.
44. An employer or co-worker treated me differently than White co-workers.
45. Someone assumed that I speak similar languages to other people in my race.
1) Assumptions of Inferiority (0.894); 2) Second-Class Citizen and Assumption of Criminality (0.883); 3) Microinvalidations (0.888); 4) Exoticization and Assumptions of Similarity (0.852); 5) Environmental Microaggressions (0.85); and 6) Workplace and School Microaggressions (0.85) “Nadal‚ 2011”
1 = none of the time‚ 2 = a little bit of the time‚ 3 = some of the time‚ 4 = a good bit of the time‚ 5 = most of the time‚ 6 = all of the time
Assumptions of Inferiority (items: 5‚ 9‚ 17‚ 21‚ 22‚ 32‚ 36‚ and 38)
Second-Class Citizen and Assumption of Criminality (items: 2‚ 6‚ 8‚ 11‚ 31‚ 34‚ and 40)
Microinvalidations (items: 4‚ 7‚ 10‚ 14‚ 26‚ 27‚ 30‚ 33‚ and 39)
Exoticization and Assumptions of Similarity (items: 3‚ 13‚ 20‚ 23‚ 29‚ 35‚ 42‚ 43‚ and 45)
Environmental Microaggressions (items: 12‚ 18‚ 19‚ 24‚ 28‚ 37‚ and 41)
Workplace and School Microaggressions (items: 1‚ 15‚ 16‚ 25‚ and 44)
This instrument can be found at: Nadal (2011) & http://academiccommons.columbia.edu/catalog/ac%3A151963 & http://core.ac.uk/display/27293839/tab/similar-list
Nadal‚ K.L. (2011). The Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS): Construction‚ reliability‚ and validity. Journal of Counseling Psychology‚ 58‚ 470-480.
Nadal‚ K.L.‚ & Davidoff‚ K. (2012). The impact of racial microaggressions on the physical health of people of Color. Kevin L. Nadal (Chair) symposium entitled The impact of racial microaggressions on physical and mental health: A review of quantitative research. Paper presented at the 29th Annual Winter Roundtable on Cultural Psychology & Education‚ New York‚ NY.
Rivera‚ David Paul. (2012). Microaggressions and Health Outcomes for Latina/o Americans: Understanding the Influences of External characteristics and Psychological Resources. Columbia University. Doctoral Dissertation. http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:14491