Dear Tiff,

I receive many questions about microaggressions from people through my website. I will be answering questions here on my blog using the “Dear Abby” style. If you have a workplace question, please write me. This is not legal advice.

Let’s turn to our first dilemma below. Names have been omitted to protect individuals.

Dear Tiffany,

The Project Manager was upset that one of the progress reports went to the client with errors within the calculation. The Project Manager came into my cubical and asked me to pull up the report on my computer, he then said, “I am so upset with you, If I had a stick, I would beat you,” and then placed his hand on my shoulder. I am a Black male employee and the Project Manager is a White male employee. What should I do? Is this a microaggression?

Sincerely,

Frustrated

Dear Frustrated,

Before I address the racial aspect of this situation, I want to just state that on it’s face, this comment is unacceptable in the workplace. Stating an intention to hit a coworker is ALWAYS inappropriate. One should never be that full of anger and rage that violence is contemplated. This statement could also be a violation of company policy; as most companies prohibit violent behavior which usually includes speech. The Project Manager may also benefit from anger management training.

In regards to the racial aspect of this incident, there are racial undertones that are consistent with being a microaggression. Let’s consider the history of slavery in the United States. There was a system in place for hundreds of years where Black people were enslaved because of the color of their skin. During that period, it was legal to beat Black people for any reason. We must also consider the Jim Crow Era where millions of Black people were lynched for minor or no infraction. And finally, the present day where police brutality continues to be an ongoing concern for Black people. Simultaneously, we have privileged people taking advantage of this situation by calling the police because Black people are enjoying a park, riding a bike, breathing, etc. So, if we consider that Black people have historically been subjected to violence or threat of violence for simply existing, the Program Manager’s comment is consistent with being a microaggression. You should report this incident to HR and request that this incident be addressed. If your HR department is not versed in microaggression please feel free to share this post with them. No one should be expected to work under conditions where they are being disrespected, mistreated, or threatened. You are a human being just like the Program Manager and you are worthy of good, fair, treatment.

Additional reading: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass and White Fragility by Robin DeAngelo.

Sending you Love and Light,