Microaggression, the gift that keeps on giving. Like a grenade wrapped in a pretty box, they can do a great deal of damage.
Do they think we don’t hear them, or that we’re just too dumb to figure out what they’re doing? Either way, they are infuriating. Unlike its cousin, overt aggression, the microaggression is subtle, and the subtlety provides the aggressor with several easy excuses. Oh, and did I mention all of them are YOUR fault?
I’m sorry you took it that way. (It’s all your fault.)
I was just kidding. Lighten up! (It’s all your fault.)
Wow! You’re so sensitive! (It’s all your fault.)
—sigh—
So how DO you deal with ubiquitous microaggression? Do you smile and pretend you didn’t notice? Claim to have a headache when they say you’re too sensitive? Confront them about their bad behavior?
Some of the definitions of microaggression I found include the words “unintentional” and “unconscious.” Do you agree these can be unintentional acts? Does “unintentional” mean the person doesn’t think it’s insulting or that they didn’t mean to say it to your face?
What kinds of microaggressions are you subject to? Are they constant or sporadic? Is it a group of people or just that one jerk in the office?
How do you deal with it when that one jerk is your boss? The best friend of your romantic partner? Your ex-spouse’s new partner? Now we’re talking about a really sticky situation.
Are men more often the subject of microaggression or do they experience more overt aggression?
How does intersectionality come into play here? Does belonging to more than one minority group put a bigger target on your back? Is a specific minority group more often the target?
How does aggression affect men? Is microaggression harder for men to deal with than overt aggression?
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Yes, I have experienced it but it was mostly from women.