# When people babble about "microaggressions", their real goal is censorship. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 13, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455 "2015-06-13T19:56:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/61 "2015-06-14T01:56:03Z")
If a Hispanic person calls an African-American person the N word, is that a microaggression? Because neither of them belongs to a privileged group. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/62 "2015-06-14T01:56:39Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > It’s not just students doing this, although that was the particular example given. And if it were really beneath your notice, you wouldn’t have felt the need for the _ad hominem_ attack against the OP. Nor the straw man characterization of what he wrote. The actual stuff is beneath my notice. The response to it is not. I reject the idea that I’m straw-manning what he’s written. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/63 "2015-06-14T02:00:26Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > If a Hispanic person calls an African-American person the N word, is that a microaggression? Because neither of them belongs to a privileged group. Why do you keep asking what if questions which have nothing to actually do with the topic at hand? And to answer your question, yes, it would be a micraggression. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/64 "2015-06-14T02:02:02Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > And to answer your question, yes, it would be a micraggression. But microaggression was defined as being by a privileged person against a non-privileged person. That was the whole point of my question. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/65 "2015-06-14T02:04:42Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > Why do you keep asking what if questions which have nothing to actually do with the topic at hand? And to answer your question, yes, it would be a micraggression. Really? Because hurling racial epithets at people seems to go beyond micro-aggression and straight into aggressive territory to me. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/66 "2015-06-14T02:08:50Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > But microaggression was defined as being by a privileged person against a non-privileged person. That was the whole point of my question. Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership. That definition works equally well regardless of who is making the comment(s). ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/67 "2015-06-14T02:09:51Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Really? Because hurling racial epithets at people seems to go beyond micro-aggression and straight into aggressive territory to me. And you point is? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/68 "2015-06-14T02:29:57Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I reject the idea that I’m straw-manning what he’s written. Then it should be easy for you to quote the parts that can be fairly described as saying: 1. Doom Is Upon Them 2. Them college kids are coming for you. Pitchforks and torches ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/69 "2015-06-14T02:33:59Z")
The praetor (or the university) is not (or should not be) concerned with trifles, which almost by definition, a microaggression would be. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/70 "2015-06-14T02:36:07Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > The praetor (or the university) is not (or should not be) concerned with trifles, which almost by definition, a microaggression would be. Well, obviously, if its not happening to you then it is by definition, a trifle, right? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/71 "2015-06-14T02:38:11Z")
You guys are all missing the central point of the OP: Liberals are the _real_ facists. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/72 "2015-06-14T02:41:47Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > You guys are all missing the central point of the OP: Liberals are the _real_ facists. And how should we treat people who are derogatory towards other people? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/73 "2015-06-14T02:43:58Z")
Stay silent, of course. It’s not like saying a few names ever hurt anyone, or created an atmosphere of intimidation, or perpetuated harmful stereotypes. Freedom of speech means being able to say whatever you want to anyone you want without consequence, after all. Besides, if it’s not being aimed at you or anyone like you, who cares? ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/74 "2015-06-14T02:51:49Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Your cite says that this is being proposed by some student organization, but I don’t see where it has been approved by the school administration. Can you quote the part that says that? Maybe I missed it. Actually it wasn’t in the first article I linked to, but Student Government has passed the bill: > **[IC SGA passes bill to create system to report microaggressions](https://theithacan.org/5506/news/ic-sga-passes-bill-to-create-system-to-report-microaggressions/)** > > The Ithaca College Student Government Association passed a bill March 16 to create an online system to report microaggressions, which sponsors of the bill said will create a more conducive environment for victims to speak about microaggressions. It’s unclear whether that means the system will happen, or whether actual adults have to approve it. I’d hope the later. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/75 "2015-06-14T02:54:41Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > Well, obviously, if its not happening to you then it is by definition, a trifle, right? If it’s de minimus, it doesn’t matter to whom it is happening. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/76 "2015-06-14T02:57:19Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > If it’s de minimus, it doesn’t matter to whom it is happening. Which are you claiming: 1- Racially insensitive comments are a trifle 2- The president of the University has more important things to do than to personally deal with an issue that could easily be dealt with by some other party ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/77 "2015-06-14T03:04:27Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Then it should be easy for you to quote the parts that can be fairly described as saying: > > 1. Doom Is Upon Them > 2. Them college kids are coming for you. Pitchforks and torches Oh, for fuck’s sake. That’s not straw-manning, that’s exaggerating for effect. Nobody seriously thinks I’m summarizing what he said in a sober, careful way. What he actually said–that I was mocking thusly–was that > [@](#): > > censorship is breaking out in the hallowed halls of academia . . . new examples arrive on a daily basis. > … > [T]hey are attempting to silence the speaker, and sometimes using violence to do so. > … > The real goal is . . . to exclude anyone who doesn’t think exactly what the left-wing students think they should think. I think my mockery of this chicken-little OP is on-point. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/78 "2015-06-14T03:05:29Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Theme: > Dextrocentric Thinking > _Actions, body language, and speech that belittles and marginalizes people of left-handedness._ > > Microaggression: > > - Holding out right hand for a handshake. > - On academic projects, failure to provide left-handed tools such as scissors and computer mice. > - Use of language such as “right”, “right-thinking”, “righteous”, “dexterous”, etc. as a positive. > - Use of “sinister” as a negative. > - Forcing use of “right hand rule” in physics and engineering calculations. > > Message: > > - People of left-handedness are evil and do not think correctly. > - They should learn to live with tools designed for the privileged class, even though the results may be poor and unsafe. > - A reminder of past abuses against left-handers, such as knuckle-rapping. Man, you are so behind the times. Try reading [this article](http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/20236/) and the [response](http://reason.com/blog/2015/04/10/at-umich-a-libertarian-muslim-student-un#.yafije:1S9A) to it. And yes, starting this post with “man” was probably a microaggression. Somebody had better anonymously report me. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/79 "2015-06-14T03:09:51Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > Which are you claiming: > > 1- Racially insensitive comments are a trifle > > 2- The president of the University has more important things to do than to personally deal with an issue that could easily be dealt with by some other party That racially insensitive comments made in a college setting don’t rise to the level of aggression necessary to require action on the part of the university. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455/80 "2015-06-14T03:10:05Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > Man, you are so behind the times. Try reading [this article](http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/20236/) and the [response](http://reason.com/blog/2015/04/10/at-umich-a-libertarian-muslim-student-un#.yafije:1S9A) to it. > > And yes, starting this post with “man” was probably a microaggression. Somebody had better anonymously report me. For someone who claims to be against racism and sexism etc I must admit that you act in a particularly odd manner in your attempts to go about reducing racism/sexism/etc [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-babble-about-microaggressions-their-real-goal-is-censorship/722455.md?page=5)