- What is a microaggression? It's an unconscious expression of racism or sexism.
- It's important to know how to apologize if you've made a microaggressive comment in the workplace.
- The most important thing to know when saying sorry: Apologize for your actions being offensive, not for the other person feeling offended.
You might not know what a microaggression is, but you've probably heard at least one before.
Microaggressions are unconscious expressions of racism or sexism. They come out in seemingly innocuous comments or actions by people who might be well-intentioned.
Think of asking a person of color where they're really from, or the "universal phenomenon" of men interrupting women.
Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about race, ethnicity, gender, weight, religion, and many other characteristics, according to the University of California, San Francisco. So while you might believe yourself to be totally rid of problematic opinions, there might come a time where you accidentally say a microaggression.
Here's how to apologize for saying an offensive comment in the workplace.