CHAPTER 16
Noticing and Responding to Microaggressions
by Ella F. Washington
We’ve all been in situations at work when someone says or does something that feels hostile or offensive to some aspect of our identity—and the person doesn’t even realize it. These kinds of actions—insensitive statements, questions, or assumptions—are called “microaggressions,” and they can target many aspects of who we are. For example, they could be related to someone’s race, gender, sexuality, parental status, socioeconomic background, mental health, or any other aspect of our identity.
Most often, microaggressions are aimed at traditionally marginalized identity groups. Yet these hurtful actions can happen to anyone, of any background, at any professional level. ...
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