How to Be an Ally: Actions You Can Take for a Stronger, Happier Workplace

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STEP 3: RECOGNIZE AND OVERCOME MICROAGGRESSIONS

Microaggressions are linked to a wider sociopolitical context of oppression and injustice (historical trauma) that results in a soul wound passed on from generation to generation of those who understand their own histories of discrimination and prejudice. . . . Each small race-related slight, hurt, invalidation, insult, and indignity rubs salt into the wounds of marginalized groups in our society.

—DERALD WING SUE¹

Microaggressions are everyday slights, insults, and negative verbal and nonverbal communications that, whether intentional or not, can make someone feel belittled, disrespected, unheard, unsafe, othered, tokenized, gaslighted, impeded, and/or like they don’t belong. While smaller ...