Storytelling as Art and Intervention

Using Participatory Design to Develop an Antiracist Virtual Reality Experience

Bibliographic Data

ID6016986
AuthorsRob Eschmann (0000-0002-7278-1526, corresponding author)
Year2025
Publication date2025-11-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociology of Race and Ethnicity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2332-6492 • E-ISSN: 2332-6506
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/23326492251386483
OpenAlexW4416241887
LanguageEN
References cited46

While microaggressions are common, they are rarely challenged in real time; in fact, the literature suggests that the most common response to experiencing/witnessing microaggressions is to not respond. In this article, we describe the process of using qualitative methods and participatory design to identify barriers to responding to racial microaggressions and inform the development of a virtual reality film that depicts different ways of responding to, or challenging, racial microaggressions. The goals in developing this research-based intervention and educational tool are 1) to use storytelling to highlight the consequences of not responding to racism, and 2) to demonstrate effective strategies for responding to racism in everyday situations, thereby challenging the racial status quo in a society that is purportedly colorblind, and where silence in the face of microaggressions is the norm