Microaggressions are subtle, indirect forms of discrimination that can be either intentional or unintentional. You can encounter microaggressions in various situations and settings, including the workplace, academic arenas, or personal relationships.Knowing how to deal with microaggressions can be tricky — it requires a delicate balance of being confident and asserting yourself while being able to maintain the relationship. With the right strategies, though, you can effectively handle these inappropriate and dangerous interactions.Use our tips to prepare for when and how to respond to microaggressions. The following techniques will empower you to rise above and set your boundaries.
Microaggressions are subtle, indirect forms of discrimination that can be either intentional or unintentional. You can encounter microaggressions in various situations and settings, including the workplace, academic arenas, or personal relationships.
Knowing how to deal with microaggressions can be tricky — it requires a delicate balance of being confident and asserting yourself while being able to maintain the relationship. With the right strategies, though, you can effectively handle these inappropriate and dangerous interactions.
Use our tips to prepare for when and how to respond to microaggressions. The following techniques will empower you to rise above and set your boundaries.
Identify the Type of MicroaggressionBefore effectively responding to microaggressive behavior, you need to identify the problem. There are three types, and understanding each is the first step in knowing how to respond to microaggressions effectively:Microassault: For example, a coworker makes an offensive joke about your ethnicity.Microinsult: For example, a professor expresses surprise at your grade or test score because of your gender.Microinvalidation: For example, a friend dismisses your concerns about racial profiling with a snarky retort, “all lives matter.”A recent review looked at 138 studies on microaggressive behavior that were published from 2007 – 2020.Researchers foundmicroaggressions happen in a variety of settings, target minority groups, and that there are alsosecondary formsthat occur after someone challenges an offender.Gaslighting, ’splaining, speaking for others, and victim-blaming are typical reactions when someone is called out on microaggressive behavior.
Identify the Type of Microaggression
Before effectively responding to microaggressive behavior, you need to identify the problem. There are three types, and understanding each is the first step in knowing how to respond to microaggressions effectively:
A recent review looked at 138 studies on microaggressive behavior that were published from 2007 – 2020.Researchers foundmicroaggressions happen in a variety of settings, target minority groups, and that there are alsosecondary formsthat occur after someone challenges an offender.Gaslighting, ’splaining, speaking for others, and victim-blaming are typical reactions when someone is called out on microaggressive behavior.
Decide If and How to RespondIt won’t always be in your best interest to respond to every microaggression. How, and if, you respond will depend on several factors. You’ll need to address the pros and cons of each incident before you decide how to react.“HIstorically, microaggressions were attributed to racial minorities. However, over time, it had evolved to be a part of any marginalized population. Responding to these microaggressions starts with whether or not the affected person wants to address the microaggression. Each person is different and how they react to microaggressions is different. When deciding to respond to microaggressions, it is important to consider the different ways to confront it. It usually starts with clarification and moves on to correcting the offender in some way. While it is upsetting to the offended person, how they address it (i.e. tone) is important too.”–Talkspace therapist Minkyung Chung, MS, LMHC
Decide If and How to Respond
It won’t always be in your best interest to respond to every microaggression. How, and if, you respond will depend on several factors. You’ll need to address the pros and cons of each incident before you decide how to react.
“HIstorically, microaggressions were attributed to racial minorities. However, over time, it had evolved to be a part of any marginalized population. Responding to these microaggressions starts with whether or not the affected person wants to address the microaggression. Each person is different and how they react to microaggressions is different. When deciding to respond to microaggressions, it is important to consider the different ways to confront it. It usually starts with clarification and moves on to correcting the offender in some way. While it is upsetting to the offended person, how they address it (i.e. tone) is important too.”
Strategies for Responding to Microaggressions
You may be hesitant to have a difficult dialogue, but addressing such behavior is important. There are several strategic ways you can respond to a microaggression. Of course, which of these you use will depend on the offender, the environment, and the actual aggression that was made. Not all of these will be appropriate in every instance, but these can aid in addressing microaggressions.
Asking them to clarify
Request that they further explain their statement. This could prompt the offender to reconsider their view, statement, or action, or they might double down. Either way, you’ll have a better idea of your next steps.
Addressing the impact on oneself
You might try to explain how a comment or behavior has affected you personally. Helping someone become more self-aware can go a long way with some people, especially if their actions are unintentional.
Using empathy
Sometimes you can show understanding towards the offender while still being able to assert your feelings. Try putting yourself in their shoes and think about why they might have made a comment or behaved in a certain way. Understanding their perspective may lead to a more constructive conversation about biases and stereotypes.
Challenging the stereotype
Educating the offender
You might try to explain why a comment was offensive and why it might be taken personally. You can offer information about why a statement is destructive, sharing what you know aboutracial traumaand the effects it has on mental health. You could also share resources, like articles, videos, or books encouraging learning while avoiding arguments.
Separating intent from the outcome
Try to figure out if the offender was aware of their words or actions and how they might come across. Then, you can focus on addressing what happened instead of assigning blame. This is a non-confrontational way to manage a microaggressive situation.
Sharing your process
Expressing your feelings
It’s OK to be honest about how microaggressive behavior affects you emotionally and personally. Sometimes this can help the offender see how destructive their actions can be. It might even foster empathy in them.
“Microaggressions are so subtle sometimes that it isn’t always clear if it has occurred. When it is apparent it isn’t always clear how to approach the person or if it should be addressed at all. Talking to others like one’s support system, therapist, and/or other trusted community leaders is a start in navigating the structure and nuisances of microaggressions.”
Considerations When Responding
As you’re deciding how to respond to a microaggression, you should consider the several possible outcomes or ramifications of your response. Of course, it’s essential that you always make your safety and the safety of others around you a priority.
How to Deal with Microaggressions
Dealing with microaggressions can be challenging, but when you’re prepared and armed with the strategies and techniques we’ve given you here, it can be less emotionally draining. It is possible to navigate microaggressions while keeping your mental health and well-being intact.
Use the following tips if you’re trying to learn how to deal with microaggressions:
Learn to Deal with Microaggressions with TalkspaceConfronting microaggressions can result in negative feelings and emotional turmoil. It can be a complex process to navigate and manage, especially if you’re trying to do it on your own.Getting help from a qualified and experienced mental health professional can help you develop coping mechanisms, so you know how to deal with microaggressions while being able to protect your own mental health. Talkspace is anonline therapyplatform that makes getting support easy.Talkspace can be an invaluable resource in your journey. Your therapist can be a reliable support system and offer you all the tools and support you need to effectively and successfully address microaggressions. You don’t have to let these subtle forms of discrimination take a toll on you, your relationships, or your mental health.
Learn to Deal with Microaggressions with Talkspace
Confronting microaggressions can result in negative feelings and emotional turmoil. It can be a complex process to navigate and manage, especially if you’re trying to do it on your own.
Getting help from a qualified and experienced mental health professional can help you develop coping mechanisms, so you know how to deal with microaggressions while being able to protect your own mental health. Talkspace is anonline therapyplatform that makes getting support easy.
Talkspace can be an invaluable resource in your journey. Your therapist can be a reliable support system and offer you all the tools and support you need to effectively and successfully address microaggressions. You don’t have to let these subtle forms of discrimination take a toll on you, your relationships, or your mental health.
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