‘You speak English very well!’ or ’but where are you really from?’ These are just a few examples of comments that Black people and people of colour often get. These comments are called microaggressions. They convey the message that someone is ‘different’ and make people feel like they do not belong. Microaggressions can reflect different types of discrimination, such as sexism, ableism, trans-hate or racism. In this blog, we’ll focus on racist microaggressions. Although these microaggressions might seem harmless, they have a major and lasting impact.
How do we recognise racist microaggressions? And how can we intervene as active bystanders? Let’s dive in.
If you haven’t already, read this blog about the definition of racism for more background.
What are stereotypes, prejudices and microaggressions?
- Stereotypes are generalised, often exaggerated ideas about groups of people. For example: ‘Older people are less tech-savvy’.
This is a simplified belief that may not take into account the actual tech skills of any specific older individual.
- Prejudices are negative feelings towards a certain group, often based on stereotypes.
For example, ‘I don’t want to hire older people because they can’t keep up with new technology.’
This is a prejudiced attitude based on the stereotype. It reflects a negative judgment and a bias against older people, leading to discriminatory behaviour, such as not considering them for job opportunities.
- Microaggressions are subtle, everyday comments or actions based on stereotypes and prejudices and can happen anywhere – from on the street to at school to at work. An example of a microaggression that stems from the stereotypes and prejudices above could be that a younger coworker says to an older colleague, ‘Wow, I’m surprised you know how to use that software!’ or ‘Do you need me to show you how to work the computer?’
While the examples above focus on age, the same patterns apply to racist stereotypes, prejudices and microaggressions, which can be harmful and reinforce systemic racism. They perpetuate inequality, lack of access to fair treatment and low self-esteem. Let’s dive deeper into different types of racist microaggressions.
Types of racist microaggressions
To counter the negative effects of racist microaggressions, it is important first to recognise microaggressions when they happen. Three types of microaggressions are:
- Microinvalidation: Denying or downplaying the experiences, feelings or thoughts of people affected by racism. For example, saying: ‘oh, but I’m sure that wasn’t about your skin colour’, when someone tells about a racist experience.
- Micro-insult: (Unconsciously) denigrating comments or actions, often packaged as compliments. Think: ‘Wow, you speak English very well!!’ to a person of colour, assuming that their skin colour makes them foreign or less likely to speak English fluently.
- Micro-attack: Direct verbal or non-verbal attacks on Black people or people of colour. For example, crossing the street or clutching your bag when you see a Black person, or a comment such as ‘watch your stuff!’.
These types of microaggressions are not exhaustive; they provide a glimpse of what racist microaggressions can look like. But what is it that makes microaggressions so harmful?
Impact of racist microaggressions
Although the word ‘micro’ suggests something small, the impact of racist microaggressions is anything but. Such ‘subtle’ comments or actions may seem harmless for white people, but for Black people and people of colour they serve as daily reminders that they are viewed as different and/or inferior.
For example, the stereotype that someone’s intelligence is linked to their race leads to the prejudice that people with a certain race are inherently less intelligent and microaggressions like: A person says to a colleague of a certain racial background, ‘You’re so articulate!’ or ‘You’re really smart for someone from [specific racial background].’
Racist microaggressions constantly reinforce the message that people of colour do not fully belong in society. Scientific research shows that racist microaggressions have a negative impact on both the physical and mental health of individuals, and may even cause trauma. People who frequently experience racist microaggressions are more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, and lower self-esteem, and may feel unsafe or alienated from their workplace or social groups.
It is crucial not to underestimate the impact of microaggressions. Thankfully, there are effective ways to intervene and address racist microaggressions.
How to intervene in racist microaggressions
Now that you’re confident about identifying microaggressions, you might realise that you or someone you know may have (unintentionally) expressed a microaggression at some point. This happens – we all make mistakes. But what’s important is to learn, grow, and change our behaviour moving forward. For example, by:
- Recognising microaggressions in your own behaviour and in your surroundings
- Stepping in as a bystander when a racist microaggression occurs
Intervening might seem intimidating, but the 5D method of bystander intervention is a great set of tools anyone can use. The 5D method stands for Distract, Delay, Delegate, Document, and Direct. These strategies help you respond to racist microaggressions in a safe way, without escalating the situation.
Here’s an example of Distract: Suppose Tom, a white colleague, asks Sophie, a colleague of colour, ‘But where are you really from?’ You can interrupt the situation by asking Sophie to join you for coffee. This gives her a moment to breathe and prevents further harm. While getting coffee, you can also check in with her (Delay): ‘That question was not OK. Are you alright?’ By checking in afterwards, you can help the person feel less isolated and more supported.
Become an active anti-racist bystander
Would you like to learn more about how to use the 5D method to intervene in racist microaggressions? Request Fairspace’s free Together against racism training! In this training, participants learn to recognise and understand racism and microaggressions and how to intervene using the 5D method. We practice with practical examples from your own context, ensuring that we create a safer environment for everyone in your community.
Keep educating yourself
Want to read more about racist microaggressions? We recommend this article, which dives deeper in microaggressions in general – but also includes clear examples of racist microaggressions. Additionally, White Innocence by Gloria Wekker is a must-read for anyone wanting to learn more about racism in the Dutch context!
The information in this blog is partly based on the “Together against racism” training, developed by Fairspace and led by Sharon Chigozie Ubani.
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