“Are you PMSing or something?” “You should smile more” “You’re going to stay home with the kids right?”

We all have experienced microaggressions, whether we were aware of it or not. It's time that we put an end to the disrespect. A microaggression is a statement or incident that can be discriminating. The word “microaggression” comes from Harvard University Psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce. Pierce coined the term in the early 1970s mainly regarding subtleties inflicted toward African Americans. Nowadays microaggressions occur towards several groups, mainly marginalized people including women. Women constantly have to deal with men’s microaggressions toward them. Some of these situations are so common that we have become blind to them.

They can be as subtle as touching someone without their permission, or as obvious as blatantly interrupting someone or talking over them. Unfortunately, this is far too common in the workplace. The workplace should be a place where women are equal to men, but it is not uncommon for men to try to find a weakness and exploit them. If a woman isn’t cheery and sweet, a man might make a comment about her attitude. He might even have the audacity to rudely ask if she is PMSing. This is a microaggression that so many women have sadly experienced.

However when being upset over such microaggressions being made, since women are seen as a maternalistic and get upset over such comments, they can be seen as aggressive or disrespectful. However, when a man is assertive he's respected and seen as a leader. Even women are guilty of making these same judgements over a man being soft and not manly enough. Women in society get harassed with microaggressions on a daily basis. As women, we need to support each other and help stop these behaviors as we see them. Too often we try to ignore these behaviors and let them slide instead of confronting them. This passive attitude allows microaggressions to continue. It's time we call out these sexist remarks.

An easy way to stop these behaviors is simply to ask for clarity by saying: “what did you mean by that?” or “why is that funny to you?” This typically is unexpected and will stop the aggressor in their tracks. By questioning them, you make them think about what they said. They usually realize, perhaps for the first time, how inappropriate they had been. This is where change in behavior begins. As women, we can do this even when the comment isn't made toward us. By supporting each other, we can really start seeing a behavioral change in our society.