Understanding Microaggressions: Seeing the Invisible

The term “microaggression” is commonly used to describe verbal and non-verbal slights and snubs (whether intended or not) that offend the recipient based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other differences. With the rise in student protests, microaggressions on college and university campuses have gotten lots of attention of late. To be sure, microaggressions can occur in many places and spaces – across the K-20 pipeline, in workplaces or homes or at a wide range of private public gatherings. I have experienced them all. 

Recently, the efforts to curb microaggressions have been blamed for the “coddling” of America’s students, symbolized for me by a harsh piece in The Atlantic of a similar title and linked here. Indeed, many have characterized today’s students as over-sensitive and emotionally fragile. These students are deemed to catastrophize, making mountains out of molehills, to repeat an old saw. Many folks have charged that the students complaining lack the fortitude to deal with life’s vicissitudes. In other words, these students are not ready for the “real world.” Seriously? Many of these complaining students have had more “real life” experience than those criticizing them vociferously.

The basic problem is that the harm done to is apparently invisible to some, which is why it often goes unrecognized and unaddressed. Off the cuff remarks, a turn of phrase, an odd question, a joke: the deliverer is completely unaware that the words uttered trigger something in the person on the receiving end. But, unlike a physical blow or a phrase that is universally accepted as offensive, microaggressions seem harmless – on the surface.

I think part of the problem is the word “microaggression” itself; it has a pejorative meaning for many. If one just focuses for a moment on the word “micro,” one thinks “small” and “invisible,” as if one needs a microscope to see whatever the “it” is. And, the original of the word derives in part from the Greek word mikros, which includes the meaning “slight,” “trivial” and “petty.” The word marginalizes.

Before supplying an alternative phrase, pause and reflect on the transformation of discrimination in America. Much (but certainly not all) of the racial, ethnic and sexual discrimination has become less visible. We require integration (at least in theory) across our nation -- in schools, restaurants and all forms of public transport. We decry words that diminish folks on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender orientation and mental and physical capacity. A whole host of words are no longer acceptable in open conversation, starting with the “n” word and moving on to the “f” word or the “s” word or the “k” word.

What has occurred is that discrimination, marginalization and degradation of subgroups of people within American society have become subtler. In that process, our society has not become suddenly embracing. Instead, the offensive words and acts take on a new shape and form that is much harder to identify, much harder to see by those who have never had or recognized these experiences.

But, the movement from the overt to the subtle is not erasure of the harm; the recipients’ feelings are neither petty nor exaggerated. They are very real and in my own experience, the harm is worse because it is so difficult for outsiders to see it, name it, value it, respect it. It is like the difference between an external wound and an internal wound.

I would replace the word “microaggressions,” with all of its baggage, with the term “subtle-discrimination.” In so doing, I am hoping that what seems unimportant and trivial is inverted. The word “subtle” reflects the difficulty of seeing or perceiving something. But, an added meaning is vastly more positive: it describes the keen sense of understanding – the nuance – some folks bring to the table. As defined by one dictionary, “Subtle is used for things that are hard to describe because of their complexity or delicacy...” Ironically, our approach to students who are protesting has been anything but subtle despite their experiences of subtle-discrimination. 

The best current example of the importance of recognizing, acknowledging and responding to subtle-discrimination (microaggressions) is the scholarship conducted by Professor Destin and his team with respect to how to make low-income students feel more “at home” on campuses – a critical issue if they are to progress to and through college. The scholars refer to “chilly” and “warm” institutional messaging, the difference being the degree to which students feel welcomed on campus. To summarize this research, low-income students can distinguish between messages that are supportive (in which case students are more likely to achieve academically and psycho-socially) and messages that signal privilege and a “pull up your bootstraps” mentality (which alienate students and impede their progress). 

This research may appear trivial to some: if you are ready for college, who cares whether you are warmly welcomed or not? Just push on through. You don’t need special treatment and if you do, you don’t belong, or so the argument goes. But….

Notwithstanding the recent rhetoric from members of our Supreme Court, we need students who are diverse to enrich our academic perspectives. America is a nation founded on diversity of every kind, established as a place where success was not and is not based on one’s place or status at birth. That is the American way – the Horatio Alger story, the Cinderella story. If we don’t see subtle discrimination, then we are missing ways to help all our students attain success.

And, as a very practical matter, the students of today and tomorrow will not be all white and male. Indeed, even those who think they are all white and all male might be in for more than a wee shock if they have their DNA and hormones tested to determine race and ethnicity and where they fall on the gender spectrum.

As a matter of culture and morality as well as pragmatism, we need to both recognize and address subtle discrimination on our campuses and in our society. And we need to try to eradicate it. This effort is neither petty nor coddling nor catastrophizing. It is, instead, decent and fair and right.

To complete the adage suggested in the title, just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

 P.S. There is a companion piece, in response to some of the responses below.  Perhaps it will not tone down the rhetorical venom or the deep belief in toughness as an answer, but at least it will allow some folks I hope to "see" (or at least start to see) what appears to be invisible.  https://bit.ly/1Nwov0a