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What are Microaggressions?
Microaggressions are technically defined as the commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, and environmental actions that create hostility towards targeted and oppressed groups of people, such as African Americans. In many cases, these hidden societal messages may invalidate an African American’s experience of reality, demean them on a personal or group level, communicate they are lesser human beings, suggest they do not belong with the majority group, threaten and intimidate, or relegate them to inferior status and treatment.
Types of Microaggressions:
Microinvalidations
Microinvalidations are “communications that exclude, negate, or nullify the psychological thoughts, feelings, or experiential reality of a person of color” (Sue et al., 2007). A common instance of microinvalidations includes when African Americans are told, “I don’t see color” because it denies their racial and cultural experiences (Sue et al., 2007).
Microinsults
Microinsults differ in that they are subtle forms of communications that work together in order to belittle an African American’s identity or racial background. Although the perpetrator of the microinsults may not always be conscious that they are delivering these understated attacks, there are clearly buried racial insults within the messages (Sue et al., 2007). An example of this is if a white teacher does not acknowledge students of color in the classroom or communicating through actions (or lack of) that those students’ contributions to the class are worthless.
Microassaults
Microassaults are the most explicit of the three and consists of “verbal or nonverbal attacks meant to hurt the intended victim through name-calling, avoidant behavior, or purposeful discriminatory actions” (Sue et al., 2007). In other words, microassaults are “old fashioned” racism, for example, calling an African American “colored” or any other demeaning names.
“Although microaggressions differ from flagrant racial attacks, they still carry with them various concerns for people of color.”
Effects of Microaggressions
In his new book, How to Be an Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi stridently insists that microaggressions are nothing but “racial abuse” and should be called that. Most experts agree on the frequency and continual fallout of microaggressions for the “astoundingly high number” of African Americans who endure them. Victims of these often largely invisible but pernicious statements and actions find themselves trapped in a catch-22. If they ignore microaggressions directed their way, they risk becoming the target of future transgressions from the same “perpetrators,” the term commonly used in the microaggression literature to refer to people who regularly emit such statements and actions. In contrast, if victims accuse perpetrators of aggressing against them, they risk being accused of hypersensitivity and even paranoia. Sue writes that microaggressions cause frustration, self-doubt, anxiety, and cumulative emotional, psychic, and spiritual burden. Unlike macroaggressions, large-scale, overt aggressions that mostly occur at the systems level, Sue writes, microaggressions are interpersonal, and often occur in academic and professional settings. The fact that microaggressions may represent “small acts” does not take into account their cumulative nature of the power of the demeaning message. Although a minor event might not be sufficient to constitute a serious stressor, it has been found that the cumulative impact of many events is traumatic (T. H. Holmes & Rahe, 1967).
Microaggressions Have Consequences
For many African Americans, it is easier for them to believe that by “simply” growing a thicker skin will provide them the protection needed to endure these experiences. However, Dr. Nadal argues that the consequences of microaggressions are real, whether or not you believe yourself to be numb to them.
Microaggressions no matter how subtle has consequences. The Center for Health Journalism in 2017, helped to explain how racism and microaggressions can lead to worse health with people of color, and shined a light on how discrimination can negatively influence everything from a targeted person’s eating habits to their trust in their physician, and even trigger symptoms of trauma. A 2014 study of 405 young adults of color even found that experiencing microaggressions can lead to suicidal thoughts.
“Experiencing the spectrum of racism — from microaggressions to systemic oppression to hate violence, may negatively affect people whether someone is aware of it at all,” Dr. Nadal said. “If the person who committed the microaggression is in your life, it can always be worth bringing up. In the same way that a family member or friend may hurt you and it takes years to recover, the impact of a microaggression can be long-lasting too.”
“The power of racial microaggressions lies in their invisibility to the perpetrator.”
Here are some examples to illustrate how microaggressions can influence the standard of living and quality of life for African Americans. Statistics support the fact that white men constitute only 33% of the population. Yet, they occupy approximately:
The questions we must ask are:
Where is the diversity? Where are the African Americans? If these are due to racism, who are the culprits? Are these outcomes due to the overt racist or implicit bias? Are they due to the racist uncles, the white supremacist, the Klan, or skinheads?
Let’s remember that it is not just the overt racist which control the tools that result in such unjust and damaging disparities. It is people we elect to office, teachers who educate our children, business leaders who carry out the policies and practices of their corporations, government leaders, law enforcement officers, physicians, dentists, construction workers, your family, friends, and neighbors. It is well-intentioned people like you and I.
Recognizing Microaggressions
The first step in addressing microaggressions is to recognize when a microaggression has occurred and what message it may be sending. The context of the relationship and situation is critical. Below are some of the common themes to which microaggressions attach (other themes can be found under resources).
How to Respond to Microaggressions
If you find yourself on the receiving end of a microaggression or as a witness, taking a breath is the first step in figuring out your response. It’s really easy to get angry and lash out, especially if this is the thousandth time you heard or felted that microaggression.
Next, decide if you want to talk with the person about what happened. It may be appropriate or safe to do it at the moment, but it can also not be. It is important to recognize that power dynamics can be at play, so if you do decide to confront someone, you want to be sure you feel safe and confident enough to do so.
Types of reactions that people targeted may experience in response to microaggression(s)
Behavioral
careful attention to word choice, tone, posture, and body language
Emotional
exhausted, angry, anxious
Cognitive
internal dialogue about whether to respond
Some questions include:
If I respond, could my physical safety be in danger?
If I respond, will the person become defensive and will this lead to an argument?
If I respond, how will this affect my relationship with this person (e.g., classmate, teacher, family member, etc.)
If I don’t respond, will I regret not saying something?
If I don't respond, does that convey that I accept the behavior or statement?
Remember to Choose Self-Care
Learning to draw boundaries and find support among allies is one of the most important steps in dealing with microaggressions.
For those looking for an immersive experience, one Psychology Today article suggests a process of radical healing, developing acceptance and understanding in your community, sharing stories with people from it and taking action to make changes on a local and judicial level, reflecting on the challenges of your ancestors and practicing self-care by staying healthy — physically and spiritually.
Self-care can also be as simple as discussing common experiences with a group of trusted friends. A professor of communication at the University of Connecticut, Shardé M. Davis, has studied supportive communication about microaggressions among groups of black women and the study reveals that talking can facilitate the coping process.