Microaggression is the name given to the people’s behavioral and verbal actions resulting in biases against marginalized groups or minorities. It is a growing phenomenon in the world, and while many people consider it to be solely an interpersonal issue, in reality, it is related to structural racism -- which needs strong policing by the people in power.
It is an everyday affair encompassing the indignities and mortifications that some people have to encounter all the time just because of their color, race, or ethnicity.
Sometimes they are not even aware of it.
Although "microaggression" is fairly new terminology, it refers to a significant issue persistent in the human race for a very long time.
What is Microaggression?
It is an expression of peoples' inability to tolerate racial dissimilarities in their surroundings. Their behaviors and actions leave the victims feeling highly insulted or uncomfortable.
It is not just an insult, it includes any type of insensitive remarks or an apparently jerky behavior towards a person or a community. They cause pain and distress and lead to an overall discriminated attitude.
How Does Structural Racism Give Rise to Microaggression?
If we analyze our political and social systems in various parts of the world, it would not be wrong to say that racism is somewhat embedded in the community’s general laws and regulations.
Whether we talk about an organization or a society, there are prevalent discriminatory manifestations in several areas like justice, employment, healthcare, housing, political representation, and education.
Such structural or systemic racism leads to racial microaggression at both micro as well as macro levels. It promotes an environment of oppression that affects people beyond the interpersonal context.
Structural Racism and Microaggression in the US
A clear example of such structural racism is the so-called established WHITE superiority in the world’s largest democracy, the United States. People of color are mostly treated as inferior and second-class members of society.
They are considered as if they are not the true citizens of the country. This broad social, as well as political disadvantage, is quite visible in all sects of society. Colored people often face incidents of environmental exclusions, verbal and physical abuse, meritocracy, and other derogatory attacks.
This prevalent structural or institutional racism is the leading factor for microaggressive behavior in people.
Microaggression Supports and Strengthens Structural Racism
Microaggression itself also plays a contributory role in protecting and reinforcing racially biased systems and regulations in the political, economic, educational, and social setups of the world.
There are people who promote ideas and notions that strengthen the maintenance of systemic inequalities in our surroundings and society.
They use microaggression as a cover and supporting activity to empower already established systems of oppression in our social and political environments.
Final Thoughts
To curb this widespread problem, there is a dire need to increase public awareness of various aspects of structural and systemic racism.
We as a society need to overcome the growing rise of microaggression in people to stop them from aiding its perpetuation.
People on critical positions and with higher powers should work on guidelines, draft new laws and regulation to reduce such racism promoting systems.
There should be strict policing for those who indulge in microaggression. The law should be able to protect the people of color and other minorities from becoming preys to such incidents.
Yvener Duroseau is author of the new book, Alike Regardless. He is a diversity and inclusion motivational speaker and consultant, digital marketing entrepreneur and creative writer. Yvener now contributes a monthly article to Not Fake News, which we are please to present.