Microaggressions at Work

Microaggressions are common, subtle forms of discrimination that occur in everyday interactions. Microaggressions can be intentional or unintentional; expressed verbally, nonverbally, or environmentally (e.g., an office space that ignores a particular religious group in its decorations); and communicate derogatory, hostile, rude, and insulting messages to recipients on the basis of their membership in a marginalized group (e.g., racial and ethnic minorities; women; people with disabilities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender [LGBT] people; religious minorities). Marginalized groups [Page 949]exist at the outer limits of social standing and are perceived and treated negatively by the majority group. Often times, microaggressions demean the experiences and identity of victims and suggest that they are lesser human beings because of their group membership. Someone complimenting an Asian American who was ...