What is a microaggression? 14 things people think are fine to say - but are actually racist, sexist, or offensive

Jul 1, 2020

Microaggressions are often unintentional expressions of racism, sexism, ageism, or ableism. Image: Unsplash/Christina @ wocintechchat.com

Marguerite Ward

Senior Strategy Reporter, Business Insider

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Commenting on a black person's language or speaking habits has a complicated history. Image: El Nariz/Shutterstock

Telling a transgender person that they don't Image: Lynne Sladky/AP

Learn your coworkers' names. It's a pretty basic concept. Image: MR. Nattanon Kanchak/Shutterstock

If your coworker of any sexual orientation wants your help meeting new people, they'll ask you. Image: Renat Latyshev/Strelka Institute/Flickr

Calling your female boss Image: Mikhail Goldenkov/Strelka Institute/Flickr

If the person in question wants to discuss their identity, they can bring it up at their own discretion. Image: Girl Geek Academy/Flickr

You shouldn't be shocked when your coworker with a disability is able to accomplish just as much as their able-bodied peers. Image: Matt Rourke/AP

If you can't pronounce a colleague's name, just ask them how to say it. Don't point out that it's foreign or unfamiliar to you. Image: Girl Geek Academy/Flickr

Don't assume people don't belong or make them feel as if they're outsiders. Image: Sebastian ter Burg/Flickr

Age discrimination is a serious problem in many workplaces. Image: Evgeny Belikov/Strelka/Flickr

There's no reason to comment on a coworker's appearance. Image: Mikhail Goldenkov/Strelka Institute/Flickr

A person's natural hair, regardless of their ethnicity, should be accepted as professional and workplace-friendly. Image: WOCinTech Chat/Flickr

Men are nearly three times as likely to interrupt a woman than another man. Image: Strelka/Flickr

If you're curious about why religious people choose to wear certain articles of clothing, read articles or books by those who do it. Image: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP

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