Living in the diaspora, there are chances that you must have experienced those little uncomfortable moments that are easy to brush off but hard to forget. Moments that might not seem like much, but when added together, gradually create a significant burden.
Micro aggression describes subtle, everyday comments or actions that reflect bias often without the speaker even realising it. For many in the diaspora, these experiences are tied to who we are, culture, accent, appearance, or background.
After a while, it starts to feel like you’re constantly explaining yourself or proving that you belong. This mental back and forth can be exhausting. It keeps many stuck between speaking up and staying silent.
People shouldn’t have to carry this alone. While every situation can’t be controlled, we can support ourselves and each other.
Reducing micro-aggressions starts with awareness. People need to listen more carefully, question their assumptions, and be open to learning.
For diasporans, it’s also about something deeper and a reminder that we don’t need to shrink or explain our identity to make others comfortable. Micro-aggressions may be small in the moment, but they are not small in impact. They shape how people move through the world, how they see themselves, and how safe they feel in everyday spaces.
But when we begin to name these experiences, share them, and support one another, something shifts.We start to feel seen. We start to feel understood. Most importantly, we start to feel less alone.
