I am often asked about micro-aggressions: what they are, how to recognise them, and the best ways to address them.
I have a special workshop dedicated to this topic, where we collectively learn and practice techniques to deal with micro-aggressions. It indeed requires time and continuous practice. Navigating these situations is not always straightforward, as various circumstances require different approaches.
Recently, during a visit to Tesco, I encountered a situation that perfectly illustrates this point. Another customer, whom I’ll refer to as Bob, ‘complimented’ another customer at the checkout on their “beautiful tanned skin” and inquired about where they came from.
The other customer ignored him, but Bob chose to repeat his question. Then here I am, faced with a decision: do I say something or not? Well, I did…
“I do not think it’s an appropriate comment.”
This led to an intense yet polite conversation. Bob insisted he hadn’t said anything wrong, citing his good intentions. While I believe Bob did not intend to offend, his comments could have an unintended impact.
Reflecting on it, I realised I could have provided more context to better manage the situation. However, there are times when I simply want to do my shopping without having to run an impromptu workshop on microaggressions! That said, Bob said it was good to learn something. While I’m uncertain about the effect of our exchange, I hope the other customer felt supported by me speaking up.
There have been times when I wished people had my back – mostly on the receiving end of sexist or homophobic comments – unchallenged by men and women around me.
It’s crucial to practice allyship in everyday situations, whether in Tesco or elsewhere, even if our efforts aren’t perfect or flawless.
Want to learn more about micro-aggressions and their impact? Watch this 2 min video. Although it offers an American perspective, the core message remains relevant and quite visual!
Hope you enjoyed these 5 mins of learning! I would love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to message me.
