Microaggressions: A Clever Way to Make Money, Stir Trouble, and Keep Us Apart
Why the idea of microaggressions isn’t helping us get along – and who’s really cashing in on it
Have you noticed how everyone seems a bit more nervous about what they say these days? Like you’re walking on eggshells during a simple chat? Chances are, you’ve heard the term microaggressions. Maybe in a work training session, a school talk, or scrolling on social media. But what does it actually mean?
In theory, microaggressions are small comments or actions that unintentionally hurt or insult someone – especially about their race, gender, background or identity. Think of things like saying, “You speak English so well,” or asking someone where they’re “really from.”
It all sounds fair at first – who wants to offend people? But when you start to dig a little deeper, things don’t add up. In fact, it starts to look less like a helpful idea and more like a business. A very clever and profitable business.
Let’s break it down.
What are microaggressions really?
At first, microaggressions sound like harmless mistakes – things people say without meaning to upset anyone. But in this new way of thinking, it doesn’t matter what you meant. All that matters is how someone felt. If they say it was offensive, then it was.
Suddenly, normal conversations become risky. You might get labelled as rude, racist, sexist, or worse – even if you were just trying to be friendly or curious.
Who benefits from this? Not the average person. But it’s worked out well for a certain group of people.
A money-making machine
Once the idea of microaggressions took off, so did the business around it. There are now:
- Books explaining how not to offend people
- Consultants charging big fees to run “anti-bias” workshops
- Speakers flying around the world giving lectures on what not to say
- Online courses, webinars, training videos… the list goes on
Companies are spending fortunes trying to keep up – not because they believe in it, but because they’re scared of being “called out.”
It’s a whole industry now. And surprise, surprise – it’s the people selling the idea of microaggressions who are making a fortune. Not the people who supposedly need protecting. It’s guilt turned into gold.
Dividing people instead of bringing them together
You’d think this idea would help us understand each other better. But that’s not really what’s happening.
Instead, it puts people into groups – by skin colour, background, gender – and makes everyone suspicious of each other. One small comment, and you’re suddenly the villain in someone else’s story.
This doesn’t create unity. It creates fear. It makes people nervous to talk honestly. People start to avoid real conversations in case they say the wrong thing. They don’t talk to learn – they talk to avoid trouble.
Is that progress? Or just polite silence?
Skin-deep “diversity”
Here’s the strange part. All this talk about microaggressions focuses on things you can see – like race, gender, or accent. It’s all very surface-level.
What about diversity of thought? What about different opinions, experiences, or skills?
Those things matter far more in the real world. But in this new system, if you don’t agree with the popular views, you’re often shut down. It’s less about diversity and more about everyone thinking the same.
That’s not inclusion. That’s control.
What happened to resilience?
People used to be taught how to handle tough moments. If someone said something rude, you’d stand up for yourself or brush it off.
Now, we’re told that even small comments are harmful. That we’re too fragile to cope. That we need someone else to protect us from “micro-harm.”
But constantly pointing out insults – real or imagined – makes people feel worse, not better. It teaches people to see the world as dangerous, even when it’s not. And it lowers the bar for what counts as a real problem.
We’re raising a generation to feel offended instead of empowered.
Breaking apart instead of coming together
At the national level, this way of thinking is even more dangerous.
In the past, we tried to bring people together – focusing on what we had in common, not what made us different. We aimed for equality, fairness, shared values.
Now, it’s all about personal identity. “You’re white.” “You’re black.” “You’re a woman.” “You’re gay.” “You’re privileged.” “You’re oppressed.”
That’s not unity – that’s separation. It creates sides. Us vs them. And the people pushing this idea of microaggressions seem to prefer it that way. Why? Because if we’re divided, we’re easier to manage. And easier to sell things to.
Let’s focus on what really matters
Look, no one’s saying it’s OK to be rude or cruel. Of course, we should treat each other with respect. But let’s not lose the plot.
Instead of policing every word, why don’t we focus on:
- Education and opportunity
- Fairness in hiring and promotion
- Listening and learning from each other
- Having open discussions, even when it’s uncomfortable
That’s how we build trust. That’s how we grow stronger – not by creating a society where everyone’s too scared to speak.
Final thoughts: who’s really gaining from all this?
Microaggressions might sound like a harmless concept. But behind the gentle language is a sharp reality.
It’s become a tool for making money, controlling speech, and keeping people divided. And while ordinary folks worry about saying the wrong thing, the people behind this industry are cashing in – big time.
So next time you hear someone talking about microaggressions, ask yourself:
Are we building a better world – or just creating more fear?
Are we helping each other – or helping someone sell another seminar?
And most of all:
Who’s really winning here – and who’s paying the price?
