ISLAMABAD, September 19 (Online): A microaggression is a comment or action that negatively targets a marginalized group of people and it can be intentional or accidental, it is a form of discrimination. People who use microaggressions may mean no harm toward the person or group they use it against. They may not even realize that they are making a microaggressive comment or action. However, microaggressions can be very hurtful to the people who experience them. Chester M. Pierce first coined the term microaggression in the 1970s, as a way to describe the subtle insults and put-downs that African Americans experienced regularly. In the present day, people can direct microaggressions toward any marginalized group. A marginalized group comprises “individuals, groups, or populations outside of ‘mainstream society,’ living at the margins of those in the center of power, of cultural dominance, and economical and social welfare.” Groups may experience marginalization due to their race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. It is usually clear when someone is being discriminatory, such as when they use a racial slur. However, a microaggression may be harder to identify. The person using the microaggression may not even realize that what they are saying is harmful. Microaggressions can … Continue reading What to know about microaggressions