What is an example of a racial microaggression?
Bringing to life the intention-impact gap
Example 1
Why is this a microaggression?
Many people from the Global Majority have been harassed, bullied, or put down because of their 'different' culture, which includes the food they eat.
Example 2
Alice and Nora meet on a coffee break. Nora has a new hairstyle and Alice is intrigued by it, so touches Nora's hair and says 'Wow, your hair looks so different today.'
Why is this a microaggression?
Many people from the Global Majority have been discriminated against on the basis of their looks, including their hair, for centuries. In particular, black people with Afro hair textures experience people touching their hair without permission because it is seen by some as different and interesting. It can leave black women feeling othered, fetishised and exoticised.
Example 3
Why is this a microaggression?
The notion that most South Asian people like cricket is an example of a common racist stereotype that has been perpetuated for many years.
Example 4
Why is this a microaggression?
Some people assume that people who are not white cannot speak English well. In many cases this is a false assumption to make, and it can be deeply offensive to people from the Global Majority.
