The term “microaggression” was coined by a Harvard psychiatrist back in the 1970s, but you’ve probably only heard the term for the first time within the past few years. That may be because recent movements such as Black Lives Matter and the modern Feminist movement have helped start a national conversation about racism and misogyny in our everyday lives. One major point these organizations want to get across is that many people guilty of such offenses don’t even recognize the prejudices they carry. Racism and misogyny, especially in the workplace, often show themselves in the form of “microaggressions” – that is, conversational or casual interactions that reveal an inadvertent stereotyping, prejudice, or discriminatory feeling or behavior.
These microaggressions are subtle, but powerful, and can do just as much damage to workplace morale as overt racism or misogyny. So what can your business do to help prevent and combat these harmful words?
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