Microaggressions?
Definition of microaggression
noun - mi·cro·ag·gres·sion | \ ˌmī-krō-ə-ˈgre-shən \
A comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group (such as a racial minority).
These are the thinly veiled, everyday instances of racism, homophobia, sexism (and more) that you see in the world. Sometimes it's an insult, other times it's a disrespectful comment or gesture.
Examples:
A digital photo project run by a Fordham University student about "racial microaggressions" features minority students holding up signs with comments like "You're really pretty … for a dark-skin girl."— Jinnie Spiegler
There is a real and worthy conversation taking place in this country now, particularly among young people, around the idea of microaggressions—slight, often unintended discriminatory comments or behaviors.— Charles M. Blow
also: behavior or speech that is characterized by such comments or actions… argues that the power of microaggression lies in its invisibility to the perpetrator, who typically finds it difficult to believe that he or she possesses biased attitudes.— Emily Skop
Your Questions:
“Are there ever situations where exercising in microaggressions is healthy?”
Equity Doula:
No! There is nothing healthy about microaggressions. I know the name can be misleading. The fact that we use the preface micro diminishes how negatively microaggressions impact the targeted person(s). I like to think of microaggressions as prejudice and stereotypes embodied and coming to life. They wreak havoc wherever they run around.
What is most difficult about microaggressions is, more often than not, the people saying them don't even realize AND when brought to their attention, they minimize the harm it has caused by saying “Well, that’s not what I meant” or “That wasn’t my intention” or “Why are you being so sensitive?” and so on.
Your intention does not mitigate the harm of your words. I will say again, your intention DOES NOT mitigate the harm of your words!
“How might I know when I'm about to engage in a microaggression so that I can stop myself before I do it?”
Equity Doula:
This is the question of the hour! Not an easy one to answer but let’s dive in! This is the work of the heart! Empathy is the key. To not engage in microaggressions requires us to be fully present and conscious of what we're saying. Unfortunately, this is not the way in which our society functions right now.
We are so connected to social media and instant responses that we often do not take the time to think about what we say before we say it. We are also working against unconscious biases which makes this difficult because it's unconscious. Microaggressions exist because of the different realities in which we live. The cultural majority does not understand the plight and living conditions of this country’s minority groups. Although we live in the same spaces our reality is wildly different! Until we can have the conversation about why we have these different realities a.k.a. structural racism and how the US was founded then this work falls on the shoulders of individuals.
Having more open conversations is definitely a great step forward! To help flush this out let's take a look at one of the most common microaggressions and what we can do or say instead!
'You're so articulate'
This remark suggests that the person making the statement (a person from the majority group aka, a white or white presenting person) assumed the person in question (a black or a person of color) would not be articulate and are surprised to find out they are.
This phrase has a complicated history and is a common microaggression African-Americans hear at work or school.
"We (a white-dominant society) expect black folks to be less competent," wrote A. Gordon in The Root. "And, speaking as a white person, when we register surprise at a black individual's articulateness, we also send the not-so-subtle message that that person is part of a group that we don't expect to see sitting at the table, taking on a leadership role."
What to say instead:
Nothing! If you want to compliment someone, complement the substance of their ideas not the way in which they speak!
Next week we’ll dig into the microaggression I personally hear the most: 'Where are you actually from?'
What's the difference between a microagression and a person being "passive aggressive"?
Equity Doula:
This is the situation where a microaggression can be passive-aggressive, especially if it’s done from a conscious state. However, being passive-aggressive does not, necessarily, mean that you are committing a microaggression.
Let’s look back at our definition - a microaggression subtly and often unconsciously expressing a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group.
These two are easy to conflate but remember microaggressions are always about the dominant group of a society maintaining their power and control by subjugating the subordinate group and continuing to make them feel less than whereas passive-aggressive behavior can be seen in any space.