What happens when everyday comments, questions, or “jokes” quietly chip away at someone’s sense of safety and belonging?
Episode 6 || Series 2of The DEeP Table explored a powerful and necessary question: Do microaggressions constitute racism? Hosted by
@ebunjoseph this conversation brought together leading voices in anti-racism, youth advocacy, migration studies, and community activism to unpack how these experiences show up in real life—and why they matter.
So, what are microaggressions?
Microaggressions are often described as subtle or everyday slights, but the panel challenged whether the word micro truly reflects their impact. While they may appear small or even unintentional, their cumulative effect can be deeply harmful, particularly for people from racialised and marginalised communities.
These experiences can include:
• Being told you are “so articulate” as a backhanded compliment
• Being repeatedly asked “where you are really from”
• Having your name mispronounced without effort to correct it
• Assumptions about language ability or competence
• Being excluded in subtle ways in schools, workplaces, or social spaces
On their own, these moments may be dismissed. But over time, they can affect mental health, confidence, and a person’s sense of dignity and safety.
Microaggressions don’t exist in isolation
A key theme from the discussion was that microaggressions are not just interpersonal misunderstandings. They are connected to broader systems of racism and societal ideas about who is considered “normal” and who is seen as “other.”
Even when unintentional, they can reinforce unequal power structures and contribute to environments where some people constantly feel they must prove they belong.
Thanks to Dr Brid Ni Chonaill,
@bulelanimfaco ,
@brianafitzsimons and
@lucasistired for an awesome panel discussion.
Part 2 of this summary will drop later today.
Watch out. In the meantime,
watch full episode here: /live/FEnqbwn0Mw4?is=2aV0lH_EL71BzJYN
Save the date: 21st March, 2:00-4:30, we will be launching a new documentary ECHOES of 2004
