These alliterative techniques for responding to injustice from Claudia Alick of Calling Up Justice are inspired by bystander trainings, peer exchange sessions, and personal experience. The “three D’s” are ways to respond direct, delayed, or delegated response. The “seven R’s” are types of response Request More Info, Redirect, Remove, Reflect, Reframe, Record, Re-educate.

First ask yourself which of the 3 D’s might be the most useful way for you to respond? 

1. Direct Response: Immediately speaking up to the violator and/or witnesses and saying  “This is happening”. 

2. Delayed Response: If you are unable to respond immediately there are responses you can do after the fact that make a difference.  

3. Delegate: Get support. Ask for assistance from a third party. 

Second look at the seven R’s or different techniques you might employ in your response.  

A. Request more info: Inquire, desire to learn more. Ex. Ask the violator to clarify or  elaborate on their statement.  

B. Redirect: Derail the incident by interrupting it. Ignore the violator and talk about  something unrelated to microaggression  

C. Remove: get the recipient physically away from the violator 

D. Reflect: Paraphrase what you heard so they can hear it for themselves 

E. Reframe: Reframe the larger group conversation in order to regain focus on topic at  hand or to address the mechanics of the microaggression 

F. Record: Document what has happened and share it with others 

G. Re-educate: This can be a learning opportunity. Help violators and witnesses understand  the microaggression in order to not repeat it with others.