Microaggressions

A form of racism involving commonplace verbal, behavioral, or environmental insults and indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that degrade persons of color by communicating derogatory prejudicial messages. The term was originally coined in the 1970’s and was later popularized by cross cultural counseling scholar, Dr. Derald Wing Sue. Microaggression has been described in 3 levels: microinvalidation, microinsult, and microassault based on the level of severity and intention from the assailant. Contemporary authors have critiqued the language of microaggression, with concern that the term itself minimizes the impact and severity of such actions towards persons of color.