Microaggressions
By: Kerry Rork
Let’s talk about this word that seems to pop on social media, news articles, feminist journals, everywhere: microaggression. What does this word mean? Psychologist Derald W. Sue defines microaggressions as "The everyday slights, indignities, put downs and insults that people of color, women, LGBT populations or those who are marginalized experiences in their day-to-day interactions with people." Think of it as those jokes where when you appear hurt, your colleague, friend, peer insists they were “only joking.” Recall those questions about your identity that left you completely speechless. You knew it hurt. It shaped how you felt in that environment.
What are some examples of microaggressions?
“You are so smart for a girl!”
“Where are you really from?”
“Oh, he only got into this university because he’s Black.”
“I’m so surprised you don’t speak Spanish.”
“You are really pretty for a Black girl!”
These microaggressions, while small and seemingly insignificant to the speaker, can have a massive impact and are tied to implicit biases. The Center for Health Journalism at USC identified a significant health risk, including Type 2 Diabetes and heart attacks, tied to the build-up of racism and microaggressions. It can even be linked to alcoholism and depression.
How do you respond?
Always remember: your job isn’t to make everyone as accepting or ‘woke’ as possible. If your physical safety is threatened, you do not need to intervene. If you can safely respond, hold people accountable! Ask them why they think what they do. Explain how it makes you feel. This can help to break down this microaggression and make the individual rethink what they say.
What if you get called out for a microaggression?
Stay calm! Listen to what your peer has to say and take this as a moment to learn more. Once you have listened, offer up an apology. After that conversation, keep learning! Read blogs, books, anything to continue that growth! Nobody is perfect, but don’t use that to excuse thinly viened discrimination. Keep growing!