The million other straws.
Umbrella term coined and formalised in social studies; "the little things" of living in a socially marginalised group (think women/LGBT/not white). Comparatively small personal offenses that, over a long period, erode their way into a general climate of (at best) discomfort and (at worst, in particularly violent forms) distrust and fear. This ends one of two ways: either the camel's back breaks, and the affected party snaps at someone -- and, typically, never lives it down, as "that PC guy" everyone hates -- or they progressively withdraw from social interaction, into either self-segregation or complete loneliness. (See "safe space." Or, actually, don't.)
That no single particular event can be pointed at makes the matter particularly hard to understand from a mainstream (i.e. white) perspective, particularly one coddled throughout its lifetime into ascribing quasi-magical attributes to the all-encompassing power of their own intent. Such that even bringing up the subject usually ends with some white guy, who couldn't take half a mayonnaise joke, lecturing you on how much better and more thick-skinned he is than you. (He isn't.) This happens consistently enough that "safe spaces" eventually arose, as the affected parties just stopped bothering. (And now he complains about those.)
Umbrella term coined and formalised in social studies; "the little things" of living in a socially marginalised group (think women/LGBT/not white). Comparatively small personal offenses that, over a long period, erode their way into a general climate of (at best) discomfort and (at worst, in particularly violent forms) distrust and fear. This ends one of two ways: either the camel's back breaks, and the affected party snaps at someone -- and, typically, never lives it down, as "that PC guy" everyone hates -- or they progressively withdraw from social interaction, into either self-segregation or complete loneliness. (See "safe space." Or, actually, don't.)
That no single particular event can be pointed at makes the matter particularly hard to understand from a mainstream (i.e. white) perspective, particularly one coddled throughout its lifetime into ascribing quasi-magical attributes to the all-encompassing power of their own intent. Such that even bringing up the subject usually ends with some white guy, who couldn't take half a mayonnaise joke, lecturing you on how much better and more thick-skinned he is than you. (He isn't.) This happens consistently enough that "safe spaces" eventually arose, as the affected parties just stopped bothering. (And now he complains about those.)
If you understand "the last straw," you understand microaggressions.
A: "Hur hur, you're a terrorist."
B: "Hur hur, you're a terrorist."
C: "Hur hur, you're a terrorist."
X: "You're not original."
A, B, C (in unison): "You're offended, you oversensitive terrorist!"
(later)
A: "Why do they keep segregating themselves?"
B: "Their sheltered little minds can't handle our original opinions, obviously."
X: "Mayonnaise."
A, B (in unison): "How DARE you?!"
A: "Hur hur, you're a terrorist."
B: "Hur hur, you're a terrorist."
C: "Hur hur, you're a terrorist."
X: "You're not original."
A, B, C (in unison): "You're offended, you oversensitive terrorist!"
(later)
A: "Why do they keep segregating themselves?"
B: "Their sheltered little minds can't handle our original opinions, obviously."
X: "Mayonnaise."
A, B (in unison): "How DARE you?!"
by (((thesjews))) November 3, 2016
Everyday verbal or nonverbal slights or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate derogatory messages that target people based solely upon their marginalized group membership.
Examples of microaggressions:
White person: "You don't act like a normal black person."
Black person: "What do you mean?"
White person: "You're just so intelligent and well-spoken. You just don't act like the rest of them."
Black person: "The rest of them?"
White person: "No, I didn't mean it like that. It's really a compliment."
Straight person: "So which one of you is the woman?"
Gay person #1: "What?"
Straight person: "Which one is the woman in the relationship?"
Gay person #2: "Um... neither one of us. We're both men."
Male: "What are you studying?"
Female: "Physics."
Male: "Huh? Oh, you want to be a teacher!"
Female: "No, I want to be a physicist."
Male: "Are you sure? That's a difficult job. I don't think you're fit for it."
White person: "You don't act like a normal black person."
Black person: "What do you mean?"
White person: "You're just so intelligent and well-spoken. You just don't act like the rest of them."
Black person: "The rest of them?"
White person: "No, I didn't mean it like that. It's really a compliment."
Straight person: "So which one of you is the woman?"
Gay person #1: "What?"
Straight person: "Which one is the woman in the relationship?"
Gay person #2: "Um... neither one of us. We're both men."
Male: "What are you studying?"
Female: "Physics."
Male: "Huh? Oh, you want to be a teacher!"
Female: "No, I want to be a physicist."
Male: "Are you sure? That's a difficult job. I don't think you're fit for it."
by qbdkusoemv August 13, 2016
The tiniest of possible insults, not insulting enough to qualify as regular aggression. Generally unintentional, unnoticed, and unimportant, these microaggressions are intended to draw the attention of everyone in the vicinity, and particularly at University should be avoided at all cost.
"This splinter is a microaggression to my finger."
"OMG! Are you going to be allright?! Should I dial 911!?"
"OMG! Are you going to be allright?! Should I dial 911!?"
by Noisy Ninja January 14, 2015
When a person, through action or inaction, unintentionally offends another person or persons which could result in the offended party reacting in aggression - such as violence or verbal assault.
Male: I don't know of any right that white people have that colored people do not.
Black Female: It is actually "person of color".
Male: I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend.
Black Female: You're microaggression offends me.
Black Female: It is actually "person of color".
Male: I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend.
Black Female: You're microaggression offends me.
by Radical Conservative March 9, 2018
by Define to nckgnct June 1, 2022
A statement or action that is common on a regular basis but is offensive to snowflakes. Cause liberals to become triggered.
by I hate trump February 9, 2018
n. A seemingly innocuous act, statement, or behavior that advocates for the advancement of people in marginalized communities and ethnic and cultural groups decry as an unconscious expression of racism, sexism, homophobia, et cetera instead of actually working for the advancement of said demographics.
White guy to black guy: "Excuse me, could you please keep it down?"
SJW: *Crawling out of woodwork like a centipede* "Keep it down? KEEP IT DOWN??" *Shoves black guy out of the way* "Check your FUCKING microaggressions! Reeeeeee!"
SJW: *Crawling out of woodwork like a centipede* "Keep it down? KEEP IT DOWN??" *Shoves black guy out of the way* "Check your FUCKING microaggressions! Reeeeeee!"
by Celeblith October 28, 2017