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Common Micro-aggressions: African Americans and/or Black People

Anonymous said: What are some common micro-aggressions that a black american will regularly have to deal with?

Behold this masterpost of common micro-aggressions towards African Americans and/or people in the African Diaspora, several of which may be applicable to other PoC. Micro-aggressions can be perpetuated by White people as well as fellow Black people and People of Color. This is just to give a thorough understanding of some of the things a Black person (often in America) deals with. Don’t run forward and jam-pack your Black character with every one of these experiences, though I can say I’ve personally experienced every one of these or know someone who has.

General Micro-aggressions

People excusing blackface.

Having our grammar and annunciation corrected.

“I don’t see you as a Black person/ I don’t see colour.”

Calling Black people ghetto, thugs, rachet, sassy, urban…

People debating why they should be allowed to say the n-word.

Then saying the n-word anyway.

Whispering, spitting, or stumbling over the word "Black” as if it’s a curse.

Refusing to pronounce your name right, or just calling you by a different name that’s easier.

Alternatively, “jokingly” calling you a “ghetto” name.

Constantly mixing up unrelated and not even resembling Black people, because you know.. ‘Black people all look the same’.

Dismissing our experiences as “just overreacting,” defending the wronging party, or using our plight to talk about one’s own experience (e.g. “well as a gay man i’ve got it rough…”).

Telling racist jokes and calling you sensitive when you don’t find it funny.

“______  is the new civil rights movement!” Black folks are still fighting for their rights so…

Media

Fox news (xD)

Caricatured depictions of Black people on TV.

Casting calls for Black people only tailored for “race roles.”

Media treating white criminals and killers better than Black victims (see these headlines).

Stereotypes

Assuming you only listen to rap/hip-hop/r&b.

Assuming you love chicken, Kool-aid, and/or smoke weed.

Assuming you’re good at sports.

Assuming there’s no father in the picture in Black families.

Assuming all Black people (see: young girls) have children.

Calling Black people who don’t conform to one’s image of Blackness, “less black,” acting white or “oreo.”

AAVE

Non-Black People mimicking/imitating AAVE.

People falling into AAVE when talking to Black People.

“Why don’t Black people speak real English instead of ‘ebonics’?”

Insults/doubting intelligence:

You’re so articulate!”

“You take advanced classes?!”

“How did she get into that [prestigious school and/or program]?”

“They only got x because they’re Black/Affirmative action.”

Assuming a Black person (usually male) attends college because of a sports scholarship.

Counselors discouraging Black students to take prestigious coursework, assuming it’s too difficult for them.

 Respectability politics:

“You’re a credit to your race.”

“I’m glad you’re not like those other Black people. You’re not ghetto or listen to that rap stuff..”

Tone policing: dismissing someone’s reaction/argument/etc. because they are too “emotional.” Thinking that we need to be calm in order to be taken seriously. 

Pitting African immigrants against African Americans, especially those coming to America for education, aka “Good Blacks.”

Beauty Standards and Dating

“You’re pretty for a Black girl.”

“You’re pretty! Are you mixed?”

“I don’t usually date/aren’t attracted to Black people.”

Calling attraction to Black people “jungle fever.”

Fetishization/Othering

People asking you what you are or where you’re really from.

Referring to Black people or our features as “exotic.”

Referring to Black people’s skin as chocolate or other foods.

Black Women/Misogynoir

Saying Black women are ”strong, independent and don’t need no man.“

Calling Black women ”sassy“ or angry if she shows passion/emotion.

Referring to white and non-black women as "girls” and “women” while calling Black women “Females.”

[White] males who apply courtesy to white women (holding doors, giving up seat) but don’t apply the same to Black women.

Referring to Black women on government assistance as “welfare queens” (While ignoring that white people get more government assistance than Black people in the USA).

“Black women All woman are beautiful.” (Stop. That. Please.)

Hair.

People touching/petting your hair without consent.

“So is that your real hair? Are those extensions?”

Calling natural black hair unprofessional.

White people appropriating Black hair styles (dreads, twists, etc) and being praised as edgy, while it’s “ghetto, unprofessional, and unclean” on our own heads.

Poverty Assumptions:

“Do you live in the ghetto?”

“Can you afford that?”

“Here are the value prices of this product…”

Racial Profiling + Criminalization:

Crossing the street to avoid passing Black men/people.

Following in stores, assuming Black people are stealing.

Moving aside when we pass, clutching purse, locking doors.

Asking Black people for I.D. when paying with card (while white people are not asked).

Being pulled over + arrested at astonishingly higher rates than white people.

For a fuller understanding of micro aggressions and the effects it has on individuals overtime, please see this: “These incidents may appear small…”