Microaggressions are often ‘everyday’ comments or behaviours that, intentionally or not, communicate hostile, derogatory or negative messages to someone based on a characteristic they share with a particular group.
Microaggressions can reaffirm and perpetuate harmful stereotypes and biases. Each microaggression on its own can seem minor and trivial but the cumulative effect they have on others is large and often invisible to those not experiencing it. People who experience microaggressions can also experience gaslighting as they are often told something ‘was not’ what they felt it to be.
This can lead to:
- Loss of self-esteem.
- Feelings of burnout, emotional and physical tiredness
- Mistrust of peers and the institution.
- Decrease in participation and performance.
- Feeling isolated and alone
- Low mental health
Examples of microaggressions
- Race and Ethnicity: “You are so articulate”; “you speak English really well” ; “where are you really from?” ; “you’re a credit to your race”; giving a colleague a nickname without their permission because ”it’s too hard” to pronounce their name properly.
- Gender: “So when are you getting married or having children?”; assuming a female colleague holds a more junior role; commenting on the appearance/attractiveness of a female colleague; a male colleague constantly interrupting or speaking over a female colleague in a meeting; telling a colleague to ‘man up’ or implying that men have to strong and can’t show emotions.
- Disability: “you are so inspiring for overcoming your disability”; “you don’t look disabled”; assuming someone needs assistance without asking them; speaking loudly or more slowly to someone using a wheelchair
- LGBTQ+: “you don’t look/sound Gay or Trans”; using the word “gay” to describe someone as weak; “which one of you is the ‘guy’?”; “how did you turn gay?”
- Religion or Belief: making jokes based on religious stereotypes; asking “Are you forced to wear that?” to people who wear religions clothing; placing less/no value on non-Christian holidays or traditions; “you are so nice for an atheist”
Visit the EDI hub to learn more about Microaggressions.