🧩 Microaggressions: Everyday Discrimination Explained

Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional comments or actions that reflect bias. They may seem minor, but when repeated, they can:

• Normalise prejudice (e.g. “It’s just banter”)

• Silence or undermine people, especially athletes or team members

• Create an environment in your sports club where more obvious hate becomes acceptable

🔍 Where Do They Come From?

Microaggressions are usually based on stereotypes and shaped by social conditioning. People may not realise their words or actions are harmful.

🎯 Who’s Affected Most?

In addition to those who have one or more of the protected characteristics that we discussed earlier in this module, they can also disproportionately impact:

• Working-class communities

💬 Common Forms of Microaggressions

• Casual remarks based on stereotypes

• Exclusion from conversations or activities

• Public undermining or dismissiveness

• “Colour blindness” (ignoring racial identity)

• Denying prejudice (“I don’t see difference”)

• Questioning someone’s lived experience

• Erasing or ignoring someone’s identity

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