Examples of Microaggressions

Microassaults

An explicit racial derogation characterized primarily by a verbal or nonverbal attack meant to hurt an individual; examples include name-calling, discriminatory actions, and avoidant behavior.

Microinsults

Characterized by communication that convey rudeness and insensitivity, and demean an individual's racial heritage or identity, such as telling a member of an ethnic minority group, "You're a credit to your race."

Microinvalidation

Characterized by communications that exclude, negate, or nullify the psychological thoughts, feelings, or experiential reality of a person, such as asking an Asian American where they are from (which implies they cannot possibly be from the United States).