Racismcomes in many forms and that includes the insidious microaggression.
Here, well focus on those geared toward the Black community.
Microaggressions are broken down into three categories: microassaults, microinsults and microinvalidations.
Microinsults and microinvalidations, on the other hand, tend to be unconscious, unintentional and less obvious.
When an airport gate agent questions why youre in line for business class.
Ticketing and gate agents always ask me if Im in the correct line.
They want to make me aware that Im in a line of privilege.
Im usually singled out and asked if Im flying business.
Now, I audibly question why they single me out.Joshua Dwain, wedding photographer
2.
When someone tells you youre so pretty that they dont even think of you as Black.
The idea that one cannot be both Black and pretty runs deep in this country.
When people assume you got into a college because of an athletic scholarship.
This is an assumption that all African Americans are athletic and mainly attend college through sports scholarships.
When a retail employee follows you around the store because they assume youre going to shoplift.
Asking once is fine, as I understand the need for good customer service.
However, being constantly watched with the intent of criminality is another microaggression experienced by Black people.
It assumes that we are stealing or dont have the money to buy the clothes in the store.
Anytime I notice this behavior, I decide not to spend my money there.
Erlanger Turner, psychology professor
5.
Or when a retail worker immediately directs you to the sales rack.
A few years ago, I went to Macys on 34th St.
I walked into the Louis Vuitton section to find a gift for my mother.
I left the store right then and there.
I didnt even want to get a gift for my mother after that.
I just looked around window shopping then eventually went home.
When people ask to touch your hair or just do it without your permission.
Then, before I could respond, she had both hands on my Afro.
It was done to draw attention to me and embarrass me.
That entitlement and violation is racism.Valencia Morton, blogger at Millionairess Mama
7.
When they make you feel invisible.
White people have the amazing ability to ignore what is different than their norm.
In work options, this is demoralizing and causes racial trauma.Renee Cherez, travel writer
8.
When they say you have good hair because its not nappy.
This statement implies that to have good hair is to have hair resembling Eurocentric features.
Or when they tell you your hair isnt professional.
But I dont think cutting off all your hair is going to fly here.
Its not very professional.
When people marvel at how well-spoken you are.
This is an assumption that people of color are less educated than their counterparts.C.D.
When a white person tells you they dont see color.
As a Black woman, my race and my womanhood are interwoven.
I am both at the same time, all the time.
To be colorblind is to disregard my or any Black persons humanity.Cherez
12.
When they expect you to be a spokesperson for your entire race.
The crazy part is that I didnt even realize it until two other group members pointed it out post-meeting.
When they address your white partner instead of you.
Let me show you around, sir.
Some may share how the comment made them feel and explain to the perpetrator why its insulting.
And others may need to release pent-up frustration by yelling.
Implicit bias trainer and educator Denise Evans, a Black woman, toldYes!
And I literally wait for [an] answer, she told Yes!
If youd prefer to avoid confrontation, thats OK, too.
It doesnt matter if you meant well: Your intentions are irrelevant.
Our colleagues of color are constantly being taxed by microaggressions and the stress that goes with that, Rev.
Responses were lightly edited for length and clarity.This post was previously published onHuffPost.
