WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en-GB 00:00:01.060 --> 00:00:03.060 Did I just hear someone use a microaggression???????? 00:00:04.620 --> 00:00:09.660 Microaggression. It's a term we all came to love, but what does it really mean? 00:00:10.260 --> 00:00:16.360 Let's do a quick simple Google search to find out. What is a microaggressions? Wait... 00:00:16.420 --> 00:00:21.980 What is a microinsult? A microaggression is the...? What is a microassault? 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:24.500 What is a microinvalidation? 00:00:25.150 --> 00:00:28.469 Macroagression?! Microagression?! 00:00:29.170 --> 00:00:32.579 Macroassault! Microregression?! 00:00:33.640 --> 00:00:37.180 Macro discrimination! 00:00:38.520 --> 00:00:44.860 Oh my God. Okay, all right, we're gonna have to take a step back. Micro aggression is a term coined in 1970, 00:00:44.879 --> 00:00:50.549 but recently got popularized, thanks to this wonderful man. Let's see how he describes it. 00:00:55.440 --> 00:00:58.660 Good day everyone, my name is Derald Wing-Su. 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:02.000 Why does this feel like a comedy sketch? It feels like I'm watching Adult Swim. 00:01:02.800 --> 00:01:08.560 ...to share with you some of the harmful impact that micro aggressions have on... 00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:10.260 The music is so uplifting! 00:01:10.360 --> 00:01:11.320 ...marginalized groups in our society. 00:01:11.540 --> 00:01:13.620 Is it a good thing? I can't tell. 00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:18.620 Well, micro aggressions are the everyday slights, indignities, put downs 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:22.260 and insults that people of color, women 00:01:22.500 --> 00:01:26.120 LGBT populations, or those who are marginalized 00:01:26.890 --> 00:01:29.220 experience in their day to day interactions 00:01:29.770 --> 00:01:35.430 with people. In this scene, Jenny has finished a late night at the office and awaits the elevator. 00:01:35.430 --> 00:01:39.820 I can tell it's a very late night based on the darkness. 00:01:39.940 --> 00:01:40.980 The door opens, 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:45.119 she takes one step forward, sees a black male rider, hesitates, 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:50.540 and immediately clutches her purse and places her hand over her necklace. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:59.159 The hidden communication is that African-americans are prone to crime 00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:01.349 Okay, I have taken a couple classes in, uh... 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:10.950 Micro aggression can be divided into three groups, 00:02:12.350 --> 00:02:14.350 based on if it's a 00:02:15.170 --> 00:02:20.050 intentional microaggression, or an unconscious microaggression. 00:02:20.690 --> 00:02:21.950 If it's an unintentional microaggression, 00:02:21.950 --> 00:02:28.990 then it's called a micro invalidation, whatever the heck that is. 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:31.540 and then if it's intentional, it's a micro assault. 00:02:32.140 --> 00:02:35.140 And if it's somewhere in between, you will find... 00:02:35.260 --> 00:02:36.360 ...a micropenis. 00:02:36.480 --> 00:02:37.780 Just kidding. A mic— 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:40.520 It's uh... micro insult in the middle. 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:42.640 If you're not... okay. 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:45.520 These jokes are so fucking bad, my God. 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:49.120 Now you might think that micro aggression is not that big a deal. 00:02:49.300 --> 00:02:52.920 "People don't use it seriously, come on, Felix." 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:54.470 Uh, so... 00:02:54.470 --> 00:02:57.669 Recent TV went to a campus to do some research 00:02:58.120 --> 00:03:03.620 Occidental College in California is considering instituting a system for students to report so-called 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:05.420 Oh wow. 00:03:05.580 --> 00:03:08.980 I believe the most qualified person should get the job. 00:03:10.160 --> 00:03:14.700 Qualifications aren't really the only — the only things you consider when hiring someone. 00:03:14.700 --> 00:03:16.580 How can you say that? 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:19.180 How can you even hesitate on that? 00:03:19.200 --> 00:03:23.400 Qualifications aren't really the only — the only things you consider when hiring someone. 00:03:23.420 --> 00:03:25.160 What else is there? 00:03:25.160 --> 00:03:29.100 If you're running a business, you want the most qualified person for the job. 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:31.220 Right? 00:03:31.220 --> 00:03:32.040 WRONG. 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:34.600 Did I just hear someone use a microaggression? 00:03:35.580 --> 00:03:38.500 I understand not wanting to hire the same type of people 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:41.340 'cause then you're just gonna get the same type of opinion. 00:03:41.380 --> 00:03:43.560 But the most qualified person — 00:03:43.900 --> 00:03:48.860 Surely if you get a job you should get it knowing I was the most qualified for 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:51.050 this job 00:03:51.050 --> 00:03:55.060 Qualifications aren't really the only — the only things you consider when hiring someone. 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:56.440 I'm so confused. 00:03:56.520 --> 00:03:59.120 If you're saying that the most qualified person is someone who is... 00:03:59.140 --> 00:04:02.660 ...not a minority, or not a religion you believe, and then yes, it'd be a microaggression 00:04:02.860 --> 00:04:04.260 But that's not what they were saying. 00:04:04.440 --> 00:04:06.340 Saying god bless you after somebody sneezes? 00:04:07.580 --> 00:04:10.100 Uh, that would be a microaggression because of... 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:13.640 different religions. Yeah, it could be a microaggression to someone who doesn't believe in God 00:04:13.640 --> 00:04:14.380 ACHOO! 00:04:14.380 --> 00:04:15.480 Bless you, sir! 00:04:15.640 --> 00:04:16.740 HOW DARE YOU?! 00:04:16.740 --> 00:04:18.480 Did I just hear someone use a microaggression? 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:20.680 I think that the harm there is relatively minimal. 00:04:21.780 --> 00:04:24.340 So there's still some harm though? 00:04:24.340 --> 00:04:28.960 Definitely harm. I feel — my hope — my soul is burning. My soul is on fire. 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:32.580 I truly feel what it's like to be marginalized. 00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:34.640 Could be a microaggression to someone who doesn't believe in God. 00:04:34.880 --> 00:04:37.880 It could be a microaggression to someone who doesn't believe in God. 00:04:37.880 --> 00:04:39.980 That reminds me the other week when, uh... 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:44.520 Mr. Wil Wheaton, who has me blocked on Twitter for being toxic, 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:49.500 tweeted right after the church shooting in Texas that the murdered victims 00:04:49.950 --> 00:04:55.429 would still be alive if prayers did anything. That seems like the good time as any to 00:04:55.920 --> 00:05:01.969 criticize prayers; after a church shooting. Thing is I don't believe in religion 00:05:01.970 --> 00:05:05.179 I am, what y— uh, agnostic atheist. 00:05:05.340 --> 00:05:12.470 But I don't feel the need to criticize other people if people want to say thoughts and prayers to something bad happening. 00:05:12.470 --> 00:05:15.169 I know they have a good intention in mind, even though 00:05:15.169 --> 00:05:19.009 I don't believe in what that good intention is. I don't feel the need 00:05:19.110 --> 00:05:24.380 to go against that. And the same thing with "God bless you." You know someone means something well 00:05:24.930 --> 00:05:30.560 Why would I personally turn — I would be the one responsible for turning it into something negative. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:32.340 And that's the thing with 00:05:32.340 --> 00:05:36.920 microaggression is that it's a game that anyone can play, but no one wins. 00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:41.140 Why don't you have an accent? Like a... like a... Swedish accent. 00:05:42.140 --> 00:05:44.200 Did you just assume my accent? 00:05:45.340 --> 00:05:46.520 Never. 00:05:46.520 --> 00:05:51.100 Never have I been so shook. I'm shook. I'm shOOk. 00:05:51.600 --> 00:05:56.740 Swedish accent? Excuse me. Just 'cause I have this fake blonde hair does not mean I'm Swedish! 00:05:56.960 --> 00:05:58.720 Like a Swedish accent. 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:02.540 Not everyone in Sweden is blonde, okay? 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:09.240 Well, microaggressions are the everyday slights, indignities, put-downs for those who are marginalized. 00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:13.480 experience in their day-to-day interactions with people. 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:15.160 I'm not ignoring that these are... 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:21.679 Could be hurtful for a lot of people. I fully understand that. I'm not trying to take that away from people 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:24.920 They have the right to feel whatever the way they want to feel. But I found it really interesting 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:28.960 in this video when they talk about free speech. 00:06:29.400 --> 00:06:33.280 What are your thoughts on the concept of free speech, do you support free speech? 00:06:33.280 --> 00:06:35.040 Yes, I do support free speech. 00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:36.870 Everyone should be able to say 00:06:36.870 --> 00:06:38.740 what they believe and what's on their mind. 00:06:38.740 --> 00:06:42.640 Unless it's a microaggression. Then we need to report it for hate speech. 00:06:42.820 --> 00:06:44.920 I support free speech. 00:06:45.340 --> 00:06:46.620 But... 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:51.600 It doesn't work like that. We condemn freedom of speech that hurt other people's feelings. 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:54.500 Why don't you suck my micropenis? 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:59.060 In Derald Wing-Su's... one of his books, he points out that 00:06:59.420 --> 00:07:03.460 micro aggression produce physical health problems and shorten life 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:04.840 expectancy. 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:12.160 And the general consensus from research is that there's no evidence to back up that micro aggressions is actually harmful. 00:07:12.440 --> 00:07:16.140 What is actually defined? Who does it actually affect? 00:07:16.820 --> 00:07:19.940 Some say it could even be more harmful to use the term. 00:07:20.020 --> 00:07:21.060 Now... 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:25.700 Now that we know about micro aggression we're gonna play a little game. It's called 00:07:25.700 --> 00:07:28.000 Can you spot the micro aggression? 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:30.520 A McGill student was forced to apologise 00:07:30.820 --> 00:07:34.420 for racial microaggression after emailing joke Obama clip. 00:07:34.580 --> 00:07:38.520 This was an unintentional micro aggression, which we now learn 00:07:38.580 --> 00:07:41.100 is a micro invalidation. 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:43.720 Good job class you learned a lot here today. 00:07:43.820 --> 00:07:48.520 It was posted with the caption, "Honestly, midterms, get outta here." 00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:52.380 Write down in the comments what the micro aggression was right now. 00:07:55.740 --> 00:07:58.320 It was based on the fact not that 00:07:59.520 --> 00:08:05.460 "midterms are frustrating, and you need to get that anger out," it was "Black man angry," am I right? 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:07.200 Micro aggression. 00:08:07.640 --> 00:08:11.120 We also have this clip from the diversity Council of Australia. 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:13.960 "...project that we're working on is actually looking at how we—" 00:08:13.960 --> 00:08:16.840 "Come on, girls, let's get crackin'." 00:08:16.840 --> 00:08:17.940 "Girls?" 00:08:17.940 --> 00:08:21.540 The micro aggression here is, of course... 00:08:24.780 --> 00:08:29.480 Little bit more subtle for the untrained eye, but me as an micro aggressing... 00:08:29.820 --> 00:08:37.100 ...expert, I can easily tell you that this micro aggression is based on the fact that, uh... 00:08:40.200 --> 00:08:42.060 They all look like girls... 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:44.020 And... 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:47.760 Could it be the Kraken? "Get Kraken." 00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:49.860 Come on girls, let's get cracking. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:52.400 Like a cracker? White stereo— no... 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:56.660 Moving on! 00:08:56.660 --> 00:09:01.260 This was posted on BuzzFeed about micro aggression... 00:09:02.020 --> 00:09:04.060 ...examples. "No, you're white" 00:09:10.420 --> 00:09:11.600 Moving on! 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:13.600 "So what do you guys speak in Japan?" 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:14.820 "Asian?" 00:09:16.920 --> 00:09:18.140 Micro aggression! 00:09:18.880 --> 00:09:24.960 "Just because I'm Somali doesn't mean I know any pirates." This guy is clearly just taking the piss 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:26.760 I mean look at his face, come on. 00:09:26.880 --> 00:09:29.380 Let me just play this micro violin... 00:09:29.680 --> 00:09:33.960 For all these poor people with the science, and my God, it must be tough, I get it 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:40.500 You know actually it's — it's smaller than that, it's super micro. Yeah, actually it's so tiny it's — it's a nano aggression 00:09:41.260 --> 00:09:48.080 All right, okay, all right. Okay, let's get serious. Now, and this might be completely based on my Swedish cuckery 00:09:48.089 --> 00:09:53.339 And I can't help it, but I always try to be somewhat sensible and around all these ideas 00:09:53.529 --> 00:09:57.629 I'm not dismissing the fact that this is a problem, but calling it 00:09:58.480 --> 00:10:00.810 a micro aggression implies that there's violence 00:10:01.510 --> 00:10:04.949 involved and that somehow you have the right to strike back against it 00:10:05.800 --> 00:10:07.800 with violence as well. 00:10:08.020 --> 00:10:10.170 Which is the joke that South Park pulled, 00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:14.040 when hitting anyone in the game for making a microaggression, 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:17.920 when in reality it's just an insult. 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:41.160 And it's not a matter of definition. I think it's uh... you can call it micro whatever, 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.720 that's not really the issue. 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:49.080 I think the issue is how you're approaching a problem. If people want to remove micro aggression from campus 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:52.710 I don't really have a problem with that. Shouldn't that be done through educating 00:10:52.990 --> 00:10:55.380 instead of trying to police? Because isn't 00:10:55.570 --> 00:11:00.809 educating what you do at a campus? Any form of social study and social justice these days just seems to be 00:11:01.330 --> 00:11:08.009 about policing, and "haha, we got you, shame," rather than educating and trying to explain 00:11:08.009 --> 00:11:10.240 why something is bad. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:13.520 Now excuse me while I go and cry some micro tears. 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:20.700 Thank you for leaving a like on this video, every like is a macro compliment. I would really much appreciate it. 00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:24.420 Thank you very much for subscribing. That would be a MEGA 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:29.279 compliment, really appreciate it. And as always, remember to... 00:11:30.730 --> 00:11:32.759 Gladly be nice.