Step 1: Introduction

Explain to the participants that being called out for micro-aggression can cause stress,  embarrassment, defensiveness, and possibly an increase in rate heart. Explain also that the experience of these emotions is normal and a person who committed a micro-aggression doesn’t mean is a bad person.

Share some good strategies for apologizing: Take a breath to calm your self, don’t get defensive, listen, sincerely apologize (address the harmful comment, acknowledge the impact it had, and commit to doing better), don’t overdo it.

Share some examples of effective ways to apologize:

• “I appreciate you trust me enough to share this with me”.
• “I am sorry that what I said and did was offensive”.
• “If you can, and if you’re willing, can you share a recommendation for how I could have said it differently?”

Not effective ways:

• “I am sorry if you felt offended”.
• “I am so sorry. I feel so terrible. I am not a racist. What must you think of me?