It can be quite difficult to imagine what microaggressions look like, so here are some examples:
| THEME | MICROAGGRESSION | Message |
| Nationality – where a BPOC person is assumed not to have been born in Scotland | “Where are you from?” | You are not Scottish and cannot claim to be. You are a foreigner. |
| Criminality: BPOC people are assumed to be dangerous because of their skin colour | Group of black teenagers stopped and questioned by the police when walking down the road | |
| Racial bias: When white people claim not to be racist | “I’m not racist I have black friends.” | |
| Colour blindness: when white people refuse to acknowledge race | “I don’t see colour” “We should all treat each other the same” | |
| White standards of appearance: When BPOC people are told to adhere to white standards | “Your hair is in the way” “Why don’t you just straighten it” |
- For the table above, work with your partner or group to decide what ‘message’ the microaggression sends.
- From the ‘messages’ you have decided upon, can you summarise why microaggressions can lead to mental health problems for those who experience them?
