Microaggressions, Whether Intentional or Unintentional, Can Cause Serious Harm

         In the generally accepted definition, microaggressions are described as “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward people." Microaggressions can, and almost always do, perpetuate existing stereotypes and biases in our society. Even if the person committing said microaggression does not consciously attempt to offend a certain group or minority, or if the person harbors no consciously racist thoughts, their slip-up may still be offensive to other people, or it may cause harm by perpetuating racist ideals. However, we should not blame the person who said the microaggression, and should instead use it as an opportunity for education. 
        From the minute we are born, we are 'societal beings', under the immediate influence of societal ideals and values of which we have no control. The TV shows we watch, advertisements we see, comments we overhear, and unsaid social rankings or etiquette we observe all play major roles in our development. Many of the tacit signs and rules we garner from our surroundings have roots in outdated, obsolete social orders, such as slavery. Thus, in most cases, the individual should not be to blame for innocent microaggressions - however, this does not mean that we should disregard these slip-ups. In the contrary, we must be hyper-sensitive to microaggressions, as this is the only way in which we will be able to debunk anachronistic prejudices and move towards a truly accepting, equitable society.