microaggression
/ˌmaɪkroʊəˈɡrɛʃən/
Definition
Brief, everyday verbal or behavioral indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile or negative slights toward members of marginalized groups.
Etymology
The term is a compound of the prefix 'micro-' (small) and the noun 'aggression.' It was coined in the 1970s by psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce to describe small-scale, subtle acts of racism that accumulate over time to create significant psychological distress.
In the news
The article mentions that LGBTQ+ individuals frequently face daily microaggressions, which serve as ongoing stressors that negatively impact their mental health and well-being. Identifying these subtle forms of discrimination is part of understanding the unique barriers faced by sexual minority populations.
Gender, sexuality, and mental health: What modern research is teaching us
Read the full article ↗KPCNews