Specific interactions that can be interpreted as small acts of non-physical aggression, in regards to race, culture, or gender, are called microaggressions. These brief and routine acts of ignorance are intentional and unintentional hostile or derogatory racial slights, and subtle insults against minorities which can be further undermined when addressing someone's gender, sexual orientation or ability.

Statements and questions such as "What are you?" "Well, you sure are pretty for a Mexican," or "Lesbian sex isn't real sex, it's just mutual masturbation," are prime examples that these "harmless" statement are not only offensive, but potentially baffling as the people who tend to make these remarks are trusted friends, family, and respected professor, colleagues and peers.

The overt racism of the past, for the most part, seems to be in the past. Generally, it isn't what most experience today -- and when it does happen, it can be shocking. Instead, racism skirts conversation, it dances with innocuous laughter, and it is rooted in lack of cultural knowledge, which leads to the offensive questioning of other's gender, culture, academic ability and physical presence in ways that exposes inattention to diversity and diverse ideas.

Studies conducted in 2009 on the subject of microaggressions uncovered the "incessant, subtle, yet stunning racial assaults" that Latino/a students experience. In doing this research, researchers discovered that there were three identifiable racial microaggressions: interpersonal racial microaggressions, racial jokes, and institutional microaggressions. Latinos experience these microaggressions at a rate higher than some, though not all. White students attending a university tend to think that they are intellectually superior to their Latino peers, and dismiss Latinos students' academic merit. This thought perpetuates an attitude that permits offensive verbal remarks that are intended to be funny, or anti-Latino statements that are meant to go without judgment. Isolation due to limited Latino population and lack of Latina/o staff is further diminished as ethnic identity is demeaned and culture is dismissed. Instead of focusing on educating themselves about a culture that is alien to them, offenders make ignorant cutting remarks.

"Why don't you speak Spanish?" "All of you look alike," "You talk white," "I can't tell you guys apart," "Wow, you're not like other Hispanics," and "OMFG! It's like little Mexico beneath my floors! New neighbors moved in below us and all I hear are babies crying and the bass of Latino music!" are real remarks that people have experienced at school, at work, and on the street.

There are a few things that can be done to remedy microaggressions in the workplace and in school, working to create a more tolerant and understanding place, by undermining negative remarks. Promoting genuine diversity by understanding different racial, ethnic and national groups are key for balance, so inform yourself and others. Speak on social inequalities and microaggressions when you hear them and see them, correcting people when they offend you, or they'll continue the behavior. If you are a student, share you interest in seeing an increase in Latina/o staff or Latina/o subject matter. And, if you work in an office and have influence, try to draw in more Latina/o staff -- and when they're there respect, value and support them. Also, frequently offer important knowledge regarding Latinos' contributions to different areas.

Along with microaggression, there are also microassults, microinsults, and microinvalidation.