6 Subtle Microaggressions That Show Up in College – And Their Simple Solutions

January 21, 2017 / Christine Deneweth

Microaggressions are small, subtle forms of discrimination – but they’re not too small to matter.

Marginalized people are affected by microaggressions every day, and they can make college difficult for students with marginalized identities.

This comic shows how everyday ableism, classism, and other forms of oppression show up in colleges and universities. The good news? Once we learn to recognize these, we can help make some changes – and this comic has ideas for those, too.

With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism

Click for the Transcript

Panel 1

Text: College Microaggressions – Christine Deneweth

(A girl is talking. She has glasses, dreadlocks, and a blue shirt.)

Girl: College is full of struggle.

Panel 2

(An arrow with the words, “Oh, you’re one of those” on it.)

Text: But microaggressions are different because they attack the identity of marginalized people.

Panel 3

(A light shining on a bug.)

Text: They can be subtle, but that’s all the more reason to address them.

Panel 4

(Guy frowning.)

Text: Just being yourself is something that is challenged every day.

Panel 5

(Girl smiling.)

Text: But you deserve to feel comfortable and safe.

Panel 6

(Main girl talking.)

Girl: Let’s look at some microaggressions and how to resolve them.

Panel 7

Text: What happens.

(Girl frowning.)

Text: Everyone needs to turn in this assignment on Monday.

Panel 8

Text: What should happen?

(Girl smiling.)

Text: The assignment is due on Monday. If you need accommodations, come see me and we can work something out.

Panel 9

Text: What happens.

(Guy frowning.)

Text: Day-quan? Dey-quin? Can I call you something else?

Panel 10

Text: What should happen.

(Guy smiling.)

Text: Please correct me if I mispronounce your name. I’ll make a note of it.

Panel 11

Text: What happens.

(Main girl looking nervous.)

Text: Kendra, it’s your turn to read to the class.

Panel 12

Text: What should happen.

(Main girl looking relieved.)

Text: Would anyone like to volunteer to read to the class?

Girl: No!

Panel 13

Text: What happens.

(Guy looking nervous and sweaty.)

Text: Alright, everyone, sign up for presentations.

Panel 14

Text: What should happen.

(Guy smiling.)

Text: It’s time to sign up for presentations. You can make a video if presenting is a problem for you.

Panel 15

Text: What happens.

(Girl holding a book and looking upset.)

Girl to Herself: This book is $120.

Panel 16

Text: What should happen.

(Girl smiling.)

Text: So, you’ll need the book. You can get it for a good price on Amazon or rent it from the bookstore.

Panel 17

Text: What happens.

(Girl furiously writing.)

Girl to herself: Slow down!

Panel 18

Text: What should happen.

(Girl smiling and raising her hand.)

Text: Anyone need me to repeat that or go back a slide?

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Christine Deneweth is a Contributing Comic Artist for Everyday Feminism. A queer cartoonist and artist, Christine lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She is a cartoonist for Eastern Michigan University’s newspaper, the Eastern Echo. She writes children’s books about mental disability and has a comic strip that has been published for five years. Comics can be found on her Facebook page, and art can be found on her Instagram @crassaster. Check out her work here!