How should you respond to ‘micro-inequities,’ those sexist slights that may seem minor, yet can add up to damage over time
I am often asked by other female academics whether—and how—they should respond to the “micro-inequities” that many of us face in our professional lives. Should we object to each and every sexist remark and demeaning incident? Or should we just let them pass because it is too exhausting to respond every single time, and doing so might do more harm than good?
First, what are micro-inequities? They are the ways in which we are ignored, disrespected, or somehow made to feel that we are “different” (and not in a good way) because of gender, race, religion, or some other characteristic.
In my case, that means unpleasant situations related to my being a female professor in a scientific field dominated by men. Each incident in itself can be so minor as to be open to alternative explanations. (“Maybe he didn’t mean to imply that the only reason I got the job is because they needed to hire a woman.”) Complain about micro-inequities and you risk being seen as oversensitive and humorless, or as someone seeking reasons to feel like a victim.
And yet micro-inequities are real and, over time, can be discouraging, or worse.