The term “microaggressions” isn’t just a buzzword that’s cropped up in recent years—it has actually been around for decades.
Microaggressions are subtle forms of discrimination or prejudice that can be unintentional or unconscious.
They can appear in many forms, including verbal and nonverbal cues, snubs, or insults, that don’t just hurt individuals but contribute to an overall system of oppression.
How did this term come to exist? Let’s take a brief look into the history of the term “microaggressions,” how the word came about, its evolution, and its present-day usage.
The 20th Century
Psychologist Dr. Chester Pierce first introduced the term “microaggressions” in the 1970s. Pierce coined the term to describe the subtle racial insults and slights that Black people faced in their everyday lives but that white people often dismissed as insignificant or oversensitive. According to Pierce, these microaggressions represented larger forms of structural racism that ultimately had significant psychological effects on Black individuals’ mental health and well-being.
How the Term Changed
The term “microaggressions” gained popularity in scholarly and activist circles in the early 21st century. Psychologists such as Dr. Derald Wing Sue began to study the effects of microaggressions on marginalized communities. Sue suggested that overt racism had shifted into the more ambiguous form of microaggressions and that any marginalized group could experience it. This shift implies that racism may not be as obvious as one might think. Therefore, this also means that rather than just a shift in language, a shift in mindset must also occur to uproot racism.
Sue also identified three types of microaggressions: microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations. Microassaults are direct attacks, whereas microinsults are subtle put-downs, and microinvalidations are things that make marginalized individuals feel excluded. For instance, complimenting a person of color for being articulate is a common example of a microaggression. This may seem like a compliment at face value, but it implies that the speaker is surprised or intrigued by the fact that a person of color could be eloquent.
Modern Day
Social justice circles continue to widely use the term “microaggressions” as they raise awareness of the subtle forms of discrimination that marginalized communities often face. This has also led to greater advocacy and the development of more inclusive policies and practices.
In recent years, there has been some backlash against the term “microaggressions,” with some critics claiming it’s overused or a form of political correctness. However, such criticisms ignore the devastating effects of systemic discrimination and undermine the experiences of marginalized communities that face prejudice daily.
Examining our own potential for bias and harm can certainly be uncomfortable, but it’s an integral part of growth. The concept of microaggressions underscores the fact that equality is more than just grand gestures or official policies—it’s also about the smallest interactions and perceptions that define our day-to-day lives.
Now that you know more about the history of the term “microaggressions,” you, too, can take an essential step forward in dismantling systematic oppression.
Image Credit: Meeko Media URL
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