"Micro-Affirmations"

"Robert Martínez, Human Resources Manager of Diversity and Inclusion at Princeton University, points out that in order to understand the effect of micro-affirmations one needs to start by acknowledging the pervasiveness of micro-inequities. Realizing the potential psychological damage created by micro-inequities is the first necessary step to the road of micro-affirmations. Both Rowe and Martínez agree that there is value in talking about inequities: The conversation starts the process of validation - and affirmation - for individuals who have experienced them. Discussing micro-inequities affirms the person's sanity. In other words, acknowledging the existence and experience of micro-inequities allows the individual to confirm that they did not imagine these small, demeaning acts. They really happened. And they were really hurtful. This realization produces an awareness that labels the negative action. This first step jump starts the micro-affirmation process.

In practical terms, there are three ways in which micro-affirmations help counteract micro-inequities. First, if a person affirms another, then by definition they are blocking any possibility of creating inequities. Therefore, micro-affirmations block unwanted, negative behavior - in this case micro-inequities - just by taking place. The two cannot happen simultaneously. Second, the snowballing nature of affirming and appreciating an individual has the potential to reverse the effects created by inequities. Third, micro-affirmations have a built-in role model effect: Witnessing small, appreciative acts allows others to see its effects and invites them to replicate these influencing their behavior and possibly their environment."

http://www.colormagazineusa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=369%3Amicro-affirmations

This is so lovely. **Micro-responses