Microaggressions

[Sriram]

Hi everyone,

Here is a BBC article about 'microaggression'.....or subtle prejudices that we show towards others because of race, nationality or any other reason.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160608-the-true-impact-of-tiny-microaggressions

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Nowadays we need to be as concerned about subtler strains of prejudice as the kind of loud-mouthed racism and sexism that makes us ashamed of the past.

Subtle prejudice is the domain of unjustified assumptions, dog-whistles, and plain failure to make the effort to include people who are different from ourselves, or who don't fit our expectations. One word for the expressions of subtle prejudice is ‘microaggressions’. These are things such as repeating a thoughtless stereotype, or too readily dismissing someone’s viewpoint – actions that may seem unworthy of comment, but can nevertheless marginalise an individual.

The people perpetrating these microaggressions may be completely unaware that they hold a prejudiced view. Psychologists distinguish between our explicit attitudes – which are the beliefs and feelings we'll admit to – and our implicit attitudes – which are our beliefs and feelings which are revealed by our actions. So, for example, you might say that you are not a sexist, you might even say that you are anti-sexist, but if you interrupt women more than men in meetings you would be displaying a sexist implicit attitude – one which is very different from that non-sexist explicit attitude you profess.

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These 'microaggressions' could be targeted  towards believers.... and atheists also. 

Cheers.

Sriram

[torridon]

I'm sure that's right, we are shot through with prejudices, some are obvious, most are subtle.

[Rhiannon]

Given what I remember of my schooldays and from watching my children now, failure to include people different from us starts young - at senior school in particular there is a tendency to divide off into 'tribes' and the different struggle to find theirs.

And the sexism is astonishing. Schools aren't required to have policies on the sexual harassment of pupils by pupils and it isn't especially well taught. One girl in the sixth firm of my daughter's school was told not to wear knee socks as it 'might be seen as provocative.' So she had to moderate her behaviour rather than the expectation being an end to treating females as objects. That's just victim blaming.

[splashscuba]

Hi everyone,

Here is a BBC article about 'microaggression'.....or subtle prejudices that we show towards others because of race, nationality or any other reason.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160608-the-true-impact-of-tiny-microaggressions

***********

Nowadays we need to be as concerned about subtler strains of prejudice as the kind of loud-mouthed racism and sexism that makes us ashamed of the past.

Subtle prejudice is the domain of unjustified assumptions, dog-whistles, and plain failure to make the effort to include people who are different from ourselves, or who don't fit our expectations. One word for the expressions of subtle prejudice is ‘microaggressions’. These are things such as repeating a thoughtless stereotype, or too readily dismissing someone’s viewpoint – actions that may seem unworthy of comment, but can nevertheless marginalise an individual.

The people perpetrating these microaggressions may be completely unaware that they hold a prejudiced view. Psychologists distinguish between our explicit attitudes – which are the beliefs and feelings we'll admit to – and our implicit attitudes – which are our beliefs and feelings which are revealed by our actions. So, for example, you might say that you are not a sexist, you might even say that you are anti-sexist, but if you interrupt women more than men in meetings you would be displaying a sexist implicit attitude – one which is very different from that non-sexist explicit attitude you profess.

***********

These 'microaggressions' could be targeted  towards believers.... and atheists also. 

Cheers.

Sriram

Seems like an unnecessarily invented word. It's just prejudice.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Good to here from you Sriram.

The term microaggressions is a good word. I think it is a good explanatory for why a secular society less interested in morality than utility can get exercised over major and public ''sins'' but ignore less obvious, underlying, insipid and indeed personal faults.

Lying, petty prejudice, greed, dishonesty and abuse of power are becoming more acceptable and applauded
and we are left with few unforgiveables against which people can stand themselves against and look and feel like saints and people who don't need much moral introspection.

[Nearly Sane]

Good to here from you Sriram.

The term microaggressions is a good word. I think it is a good explanatory for why a secular society less interested in morality than utility can get exercised over major and public ''sins'' but ignore less obvious, underlying, insipid and indeed personal faults.

Lying, petty prejudice, greed, dishonesty and abuse of power are becoming more acceptable and applauded
and we are left with few unforgiveables against which people can stand themselves against and look and feel like saints and people who don't need much moral introspection.

. When was this golden age you believe in!

[Walt Zingmatilder]

. When was this golden age you believe in!

Circa 1939-1979 although it tails off from about 1972 and socialist movements demonstrated the correct principles between the wars.

[ippy]

Sriram, I'm not that in tune with your word microagressions, but I do understand your meaning.

I'm sure I must get it wrong fom time to time and it does concern me but I have found it easy to determine good hearted people that unintentionally get it wrong from time to time and those that haven't learned better, yet, I  can imagine it could be something you experience from time to time.

I can't watch or read  anything about our British slave trade in the West Indies or America, it's got worse as I've got older, it cuts me to the quick, something I can do without and I can't rewrite history.

ippy