Microaggression or Micro-Inequities
Microaggression has been described as a series of minor but constant indignities, “incessant, often gratuitous and subtle offenses,” based on identity characteristics. Others use the term micro-inequity, claiming that ‘aggression’ implies some kind of motivation to offend which cannot be proven.
Microaggressive behavior is usually an expression of ignorance, stereotype, or unconscious bias.
As an example, asking an Asian or Hispanic person when they came to the U.S. may be experienced as a microaggression by an individual who was in fact born in this country. African-Americans and Native Americans often complain about security guards following them around in department stores. Female doctors whom patients assume are nurses may feel offended.
While any one incident may be inconsequential, the cumulative effect of such encounters day after day becomes oppressive.