Microaggressions - Gracie Gibbons

      I believe that the weight of microaggressions is very real.  Although one could argue that one could perceive a microaggression when it is not meant to be one, the insecurities of someone that made he or she perceive the statement come from past microaggressions.  Therefore, microaggressions cause extreme insecurities in people, from the color of their skin to how they dress and everything in between.  In our society today, microaggressions are seen as little, comical statements “poking fun” at a race, gender, etc.  However, how can we celebrate our differences while being unified if we are constantly ridiculing the differences of others?  Many microaggressions are unintentional, which is exactly the problem.  No one is ever reprimanded or “called out” for making a microaggression that hurts another’s feelings because it’s such a social norm that no one wants to speak up.  No one wants to be “that person” who ruins the fun.  However, how can racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. ever cease if these little “jokes” and statements are constantly made supporting these injustices?  Microaggressions are everyday acts of racism, sexism, etc., which add very prominent weight to these injustices by supporting them in every way.