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
Get the Microaggressions mug.Obvious, intentional, above board insults, where there is no chance of a mistake on the part of the transgressor (as is the case of microaggressions) to be provoking, insulting, or otherwise discourtious.
A man says to a woman he doesn't even know, "Damn, you're hot!"
Telling her friend about it, she says, "These guys and their macroaggressions! They must completely be out of ideas for hitting on women."
Telling her friend about it, she says, "These guys and their macroaggressions! They must completely be out of ideas for hitting on women."
by anonymous November 15, 2017
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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
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by o0oTheRedPillo0o November 19, 2017
Get the MICRO-AGGRESSION mug.A conversational jab that was intentionally acted out to. This question compliment or statement was intended to emulate hatred, disinterest, disrespect or to provoke or instigate (stur up) sabotage drama in a relationship or commonplace human interaction.
The golden rule was always treat others how you want to be treated.
The golden rule was always treat others how you want to be treated.
Becky: chad.. Did I tell you about this total bitch at my job she keeps giving me these back handed compliments to me.
Chad: that's probobaly micro-aggression, its her way of emulating her disrespect towards you without taking responsibility for it.. she probably hates you, just doesn't want to get in trouble. Look.. if the situation gets any worse talk to human resources. It will all be fine.
Chad: that's probobaly micro-aggression, its her way of emulating her disrespect towards you without taking responsibility for it.. she probably hates you, just doesn't want to get in trouble. Look.. if the situation gets any worse talk to human resources. It will all be fine.
by Bootiegas December 29, 2021
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by Kevin Stewart Baker December 28, 2017
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