Imagine your privilege is a heavy boot, while those who are oppressed only have sandals. In the event that someone were to say, “Ouch! You’re stepping on my toes,” how would you respond? Actually, many of us instinctively know how to respond when we accidentally step on someone’s toes and we can apply that knowledge to guide us in handling microaggressions.
First, show genuine concern for the person affected. Next, listen attentively to their response and try to understand their perspective. Apologise for the impact (and not in a way that centres yourself), even if you didn’t mean to cause harm. Stop the action that caused the harm. Most importantly, break the cycle and be mindful of where you tread in the future.
Heavy Boot Privilege by Rae Sabine
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