Microaggressions are subtle but offensive comments that devalue or put someone down because of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, gender identity and much more.
They often reflect prejudice toward people of colour, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, people with disabilities and other groups.
Microaggressions can hurt children and young people and make them feel that they don’t fit in.
Some examples of microaggressions include:
- asking a person of colour where they are “from originally”, even if they grew up in Ireland
- excluding a person with disabilities from an event because you think they won’t be able to participate
- constantly interrupting a woman or girl when she’s trying to speak
- assuming that someone from a minority group doesn’t speak English
What is the effect of microaggressions?
Microaggressions might seem small, but they can have negative effects on mental health.
Research has shown that being subjected to microaggressions is associated with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other health issues.
Microaggressions may also be more difficult to respond to, since they don’t always sound like a direct attack or criticism.
What can I do if I experience microaggressions?
Tell a person you trust, like a parent, carer, good friend or teacher, about what happened. They can offer support and guidance. If the incident made you feel unsafe, report it.
You don’t have to respond to every microaggression if you don’t want to. If you choose to respond, try some of the following:
- Ask for further clarification. For example, say: “Could you tell me more about what you mean by that?” or “How did you come to think that?”
- Separate intent from impact. You could say: “I know you didn’t mean it, but when you said/did (comment/behaviour), it was hurtful. Instead, it’s better to say/do (different language or behaviour).”
- Challenge the stereotype and share your own experience. Try saying: “I think that’s a stereotype. I’ve learned that _______”
Remember: people who experience microaggressions aren’t the only ones who should call them out. Even if you aren’t the target, you can support others by challenging beliefs and stereotypes that lead to microaggressions.
What to do if you commit a microaggression
Even if you didn’t mean it, saying something offensive about a specific group of people to a friend or someone else you know can cause harm. However, there are steps you can take to make things right:
- Accept feedback and listen to the person you insulted.
- Say sorry, but don’t make excuses. Genuinely apologising will help to heal a relationship, instead of building more tension.
- Take action to learn more, but don’t depend on the person you have offended to educate you. There are lots of free resources online that can help you identify microaggressions and avoid committing them in future.
