Topic 1 Micro-Aggressive Statements

Some population groups are more likely to be victimised, such as women, people of colour and migrants they are ubiquitous across daily work and life, while there are many stereotypes related to gender or race, for example, which act as perpetrators of micro-aggression.

Here are a few seemingly innocuous statements that in the context of racist assumptions and stereotypes can be quite damaging:

“When I see you, I don’t see colour.” (signaling that the person doesn’t acknowledge your Blackness or won’t hold it against you)

“You are so articulate.” (signaling that Black people are not usually capable of competent intellectual conversation)

“I see your hair is big today! Are you planning to wear it like that to the client meeting?” (signaling that natural Black hairstyles are not professional)

“Everyone can succeed in society if they work hard enough.” (signaling that disparate outcomes for Black people result from laziness)

“We are all one race: the human race.” (signaling that your experience as a Black person is no different from the experience of people of other races)