Microaggressions

Microaggressions are comments or actions that subtly (often unconsciously or unintentionally) indicate a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group. The "micro" comes from the fact that on their own don't seem like a big deal. However, Microaggressions are rarely isolated incidents.

a.k.a Cumulative Aggressions

While not as common a usage, some people refer to Microaggressions as Cumulative Aggressions because it is a more accurate way to describe the experience. People who experience them usually experience them so regularly that their effects accumulate and wear the person down, like ocean waves gradually wearing down the rocks on a coastline. There is nothing "micro" about the cumulative experience.

Some Common Microaggressions

Whether we realized it at the time or not, we've all said or done something that did harm to someone else, even if we had the best of intentions. The list below is not exhaustive, just meant to give you a better idea of what Microaggressions can look like:

• Mixing up the names of two people who belong to the same marginalized or underrepresented identity group (the implication is that people of their group all look the same)

• Complimenting a disabled person for being so "resilient" or "inspiring" (the implication is that you see their disability as a huge burden to be overcome and that doing basic things is an accomplishment for them)

• Asking to touch a Black person's hair (the implication is that it's unusual or "exotic")

• Assuming an older person doesn't understand technology or social media (especially in a tech environment, this implies they are out of touch and irrelevant)

• Asking a Person of Color where they are from (the implication is that they must be from another country because "real Americans" are White)

• Commenting on a woman's appearance (even when intended as a compliment, the implication is that her appearance is an important part of her worth in that space)

• Telling a Person of Color they are "articulate" or "well spoken" (the implication is that you didn't expect them to be)

• Telling a transgender person that they don't "look trans" (the implication is that this must be their goal, because being transgender is undesirable)

• Mispronouncing a non-Anglo sounding name (the implication is that they are unusual and you can't be bothered to learn how to pronounce an unfamiliar name)

• Trying to set someone up on a date with someone else of the same marginalized or underrepresented identity group (the implication is that simply belonging to that group makes them compatible)

• Referring to women as "crazy" or "hysterical" (the implication is that women are overly emotional, while also perpetuating the stigma around mental health)