According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a microaggression is defined as:
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).
- Microaggressions can be verbal or non-verbal, intentional or unintentional.
- They often stem from implicit bias, which are unconscious attitudes or beliefs rooted in us as a result of our environment or upbringing.
Examples of Microaggressions in the Classroom
- Setting exam or project due dates on cultural or religious holidays.
- Failing to learn how to pronounce or spell the names of students - or continuing to mispronounce or misspell names after having been corrected.
- Expecting students of any particular group to ‘represent’ the perspectives of others of their race, gender, etc. in class discussions or debates.
- Using sexist language.
- Categorizing the gender of any student based on your opinions or traditional gender norms.
- Misusing pronouns even after a student, transgender or not, indicates their preferred gender pronoun.
- Facilitating projects that ignore differences in socioeconomic class status and inadvertently penalize students with fewer financial resources.
- Praising non-white students on their use of “good English.”
- Turning a blind eye to student‐to‐student microaggressions, even when the interaction is not course‐related.
Examples of Microaggressions in Healthcare
- Demeaning comments, nonverbal disrespect, generalizations of social identity. Assumption of non-physician status.
- Role- or credential-questioning behavior.
- Rejection of care.
- Questioning or inquiries of ethnic/racial origin.
- Sexual harassment.
Examples of Microaggressions in the Workplace
- Creating an ableist environment that does not plan for employees with disabilities (seen and unseen) in meetings, at work events, etc.
- Mistaking a person of color at work for a cleaning staff member, delivery person, etc.
- Giving someone a nickname without their permission because you are uncomfortable saying their full name.
- Not recruiting people of color in leadership roles, nor supporting people of color to advance into leadership roles.
- Assuming the competence of people whose first language is not English.
Examples of Microaggressions in Society
- "Where are you really from?"
- A White man or woman clutching their purse or checking their wallet as a Black or Latino approaches or passes.
- A store owner following a customer of color around the store.
- "When I look at you, I don't see color."