Microaggressions are actions or comments that, although they may seem small or subtle, have a negative impact on the people who receive them. This is a behavior that can be intentional or unintentional but has a harmful effect on the emotional and psychological well-being of the person who receives it.
Microaggressions can occur in any context, from the workplace to the home or school, and can be related to a variety of personal characteristics, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability, among others.
Derald Wing Sue, a professor of psychology and education at Teachers College, Columbia University, became involved in research on microaggressions and micro interventions 20 years ago when he formed research teams to explore issues related to his personal life. He defines microaggressions as small offenses, indignities, insults, belittlements, and invalidations that people of color experience in their daily interactions with well-intentioned individuals who are unaware that they are acting offensively towards members of marginalized groups.
The concept of microaggressions is powerful and potent because it deals with all marginalized groups. Wing Sue's work has primarily focused on racial microaggressions, although there are also microaggressions related to gender, LGBTQ, and disability.
Wing Sue shares personal experiences of being bullied and discriminated against in elementary school due to his Chinese heritage, and the humiliation he felt when his teacher spoke harshly to him for speaking Chinese with his brother before class. He explains how being ashamed of his language is being ashamed of his culture, and this can cause shame and embarrassment.
Most common types of Microaggressions
Racial microaggressions
These can include comments about a person's physical appearance, culture, or intellectual ability. For example, asking an Asian person "Where are you really from?" or praising a Black person for being "very intelligent for their race" or telling them "You don't look like your race" are examples of racial microaggressions.
Gender microaggressions
These are comments or behaviors that are based on a person's gender. They can include comments about a person's physical appearance, behavior, or intellectual ability. For example, telling a woman that "she should smile more," "Why don't you dress more feminine?" or calling a man "sensitive," and "you're too emotional to be a man" as if they were an insult are examples of gender microaggressions.
Sexual orientation-related microaggressions
They are based on a person's sexual orientation. They can include derogatory comments, such as "That’s so gay," "I can't believe you like someone of the same sex" or invasive questions, such as "How do you know you're gay?" or "Are you the man or the woman in your relationship?".
Religion-related microaggressions
Often include derogatory comments about someone's religious beliefs or questions that assume a person adheres to a particular religion, such as asking someone "Are you Muslim? You should wear an identification tag," "You should celebrate Christmas, it's part of our culture" or "How can you believe in God in this modern world?".
Disability-related microaggressions
They are usually comments that minimize a person's disability, such as "you must be so strong for having to deal with your disability" or questions that assume a person is incapable of doing something due to their disability "How can you drive if you have a physical disability?" or "you should be grateful for having a job with your disability".
Impact of Microaggressions
It is important to note that although microaggressions may seem small, they often have a cumulative impact on the self-esteem and mental health of individuals.
·Emotional stress: Microaggressions can cause emotional stress and anxiety in the person experiencing them. The person may feel insecure and afraid of being judged or discriminated against.
·Low self-esteem: Microaggressions can make a person feel less valuable and diminished. The person may begin to question their own identity and their ability to relate to others.
·Difficulties in relationships: Microaggressions can make interpersonal relationships difficult. The person experiencing them may begin to isolate themselves and avoid contact with others to avoid feeling discriminated against or judged.
·Mental health problems: Microaggressions can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The person may feel overwhelmed and have difficulty managing their emotions.
5 Effective Strategies for Addressing Microaggressions
1. Clarify the situation. If you're not sure if someone has attempted a microaggression towards you, it's important to clarify the situation. Ask the person directly if what they said is what they meant. Sometimes, people don't realize the impact of their words.
2. Express your feelings. If you've been a victim of a microaggression, it's important to talk about how you've felt. Express to the person that they have made you feel uncomfortable or insulted. The person may not have understood how their words or actions affected you.
3. Education. If the person who made the microaggression wasn't aware of its impact, you can take the opportunity to educate them on the issue. Explain why their words or actions were offensive. Education can be an effective way to prevent future microaggressions.
4. Alliance with others. If you witness a microaggression, you can show support to the affected person. Talk to them after the incident and offer your help and support. You can also inform others about what has happened and work together to prevent future microaggressions.
5. Confrontation. In some cases, direct confrontation may be necessary. If someone continues to make microaggressions after you've talked to them about its impact, it may be necessary to be more direct and confront the person. Express your boundaries and explain that you will not tolerate that kind of behavior.
Responding to microaggressions requires different strategies depending on the case. It's important to remember that each situation is unique and may require a different response. The most important thing is to make sure that the microaggression is addressed in an effective and constructive way.
How to prevent microaggressions
Preventing microaggressions requires an active commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment. Here are some effective strategies for preventing microaggressions:
Education
Education is crucial to preventing microaggressions. It's important to learn about the different types of microaggressions and how they can be harmful to individuals. It's also important to educate others about microaggressions and how to avoid them.
Awareness of biases
It's important to be aware of our own biases and work to overcome them. Education and reflection can help us identify our biases and work to change them.
Fostering inclusivity
It's important to foster an inclusive and respectful environment for all people, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. Inclusion can be achieved through inclusive policies and practices and the promotion of diversity.
Listening and respecting
Listening to and respecting the opinions and perspectives of others is essential to preventing microaggressions. It's important to be aware of words and actions that may be offensive and work to avoid them.
Being an ally
Being an ally to individuals who may be victims of microaggressions is important. If you witness a microaggression, it's important to intervene and support the affected person.
Education, awareness of biases, inclusivity, respect, and support for affected individuals are effective strategies for preventing microaggressions.
Should a person who has experienced microaggressions seek professional help?
A person who has experienced microaggressions may benefit from seeking psychological help at any time, especially if the microaggressions affect their emotional well-being or their ability to function in their daily lives.
A mental health professional can help individuals who have experienced microaggressions by providing emotional validation, coping strategies, cognitive restructuring, positive reinforcement, and social support. Working with a professional can help the person recover from the trauma of microaggressions and regain confidence and self-esteem.
In conclusion, microaggressions are subtle and discriminatory comments or actions that can have a negative impact on the people who receive them. These microaggressions can be direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional, but their impact can be very real and harmful. It is important to recognize the impact of microaggressions and take steps to prevent and respond to them.
It is essential to educate ourselves and others about microaggressions, be aware of our own biases, foster inclusion and respect for all people, listen to and respect the opinions and perspectives of others, and be an ally to people affected by microaggressions. As individuals, we can take action to address microaggressions by being informed, speaking up and advocating for affected individuals, and taking concrete steps to create more inclusive and respectful environments.
Ultimately, by preventing and responding to microaggressions, we can create a more just and equal society, where all people are valued and respected equally.
REFERENCES:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=okE-5eg7ARc
www.ptech.org/es/open-p-tech/blog/how-to-handle-microaggressions/