Harvard psychiatrist Chester Pierce introduced the term in 1970 to describe the everyday insults Black Americans experienced from white Americans. In 2007, psychologist Derald Wing Sue and his colleagues expanded it. They described microaggressions as common slights that send hostile or negative messages to people of color. The term now also covers sexism, homophobia, ableism and other forms of bias.
Common examples include asking an Asian American where they're "really" from or telling a Black professional they're "so articulate." Others include clutching a bag when a Black man walks by. Each moment may seem small to the person who says it, which is why they often deny any harm.
But the impact is anything but small. Psychologists have called it "death by a thousand papercuts" (New York Times). Research finds that microaggressions can be almost as damaging to mental and emotional health as overt racism (Journal of Management). Over time, that stress adds up to what researchers call weathering, where the constant stress of racism wears down the body and leads to worse health.
So if you witness one, name it and explain the harm. Impact matters more than intent. And if someone tells you that you said something hurtful, listen first. If you're not a person of color, please don't ask a friend of color to list examples for you, because you can find plenty of them by searching on your own.
Common questions
What are examples of racial microaggressions?
Asking an Asian American where they're "really" from, calling a Black colleague "so articulate," or confusing two coworkers of the same race are common ones.
How should I respond if I commit a microaggression?
Listen, apologize for the impact and don't make the other person comfort you. Then learn from it so it doesn't happen again.
Are microaggressions really harmful?
Yes. Research links repeated microaggressions to stress, anxiety and physical health effects, and some studies find the harm close to that of overt racism.