(Not So) Microaggressions

by Brent Palmer

In this, my second installment on communication and race, I will explain what a microaggression is and how both the sender and receiver of a racial microaggression can best facilitated communication through Ijeoma Oluo’s So You Want to Talk about Race.  
​
Ijeoma defines microaggressions as: “small daily insults and indignities perpetrated against marginalized or oppressed people because of their affiliation with that marginalized or oppressed group.” (p. 169).  Though they are called microaggressions, the feelings which come from the consistent indignities are anything but micro.  

Racial microaggressions that I have personally experienced include: “Can I touch your hair,” “Wow, you sound so articulate,” “You don’t sound black,” and “You act like you’re white.” They can also be delivered nonverbally, such as when a cab doesn’t stop to pick you up, or when a sales clerk follows you around a store. 

It is important to stress that microaggressions are small, cumulative, perpetrated by many people, and said people do not usually know when they commit one. One of these comments might not hurt, but they begin to sting after hearing them for a prolonged period of time, and are hard to address without exhausting yourself and being labeled as hypersensitive. A good way to think of this is like death by 1,000 paper cuts.  

A microaggression’s harm goes beyond the psychological, and has the social implication of normalizing racism. This is due to their connections to stereotypes, as stereotypes are commonly displayed through microaggressions. So, how can we best address racial microaggressions?  

Oluo highlights five things receivers can try to help facilitate conversations of microaggressions:  

1. State what actually happened. Say it directly, because it has every right to be named. 
2. Ask some uncomfortable questions. Questioning the action can force someone to really examine their motives. Two of the author’s favorites are: “Why did you say that,” “I don’t get it, please clarify.” 
3. Ask some more uncomfortable questions. It’s important to keep the pressure up. 
4. Reinforce that good intentions aren’t the point. 
5. Remember you are not crazy and have every right to bring this up. This is a real problem that should be addressed. 

Oluo also highlights eight things Senders can try to help navigate conversations of microaggressions: 

1. Pause. Catch your breath, and remember your goal is to understand and develop your relationship with the other person. 
2. Ask, “Do I really know why I said/did that?” If there isn’t a good reason, you should re-examine the why. 
3. “Would I say this to someone of my own race? Is it something I say to people of my own race?”  
4. Ask if you were feeling threatened/ uncomfortable, then ask why. Why did I respond in a racially oppressive way? 
5. Not force people to acknowledge your good intentions. You are not a bad person, but it doesn’t absolve you of guilt. 
6. Remember: It’s not just one incident. This is a systemic, cumulative issue. Understanding your unique privilege is key. 
7. Research further on your own time. Talk to friends from different races and cultures, and google your questions. 
8. Apologize. This more than likely hurt the other person in some way. It is important to acknowledge it, and know you can do better in the future. 

On Friday, I will be ending my series on Ojeola’s book by covering the chapter, “I Just Got Called a Racist, what do I do Next?”. 

About Author

Brent Palmer is a Senior in the Communication Studies Department, specializing in Intercultural Communications. He hopes to either go into journalism, community organization, or work in positions having to do with international issues after graduation. Brent also enjoys taking pictures and being involved on campus, as an active participant in C3, The Herpetology Club, River Region Evening Edition, Photogenesis, and Alt News.