BACKGROUND

Microaggressions are everyday subtle assumptions and comments that, regardless of intentions, can be hurtful and damaging, taking a significant toll on mental and physical health of people from marginalized groups. Unlike more overt forms of discrimination, the harmful impact of microaggressions often goes unnoticed to those not on the receiving end.

Canada’s leading DEI organizations were determined to make this invisible issue visible. After launching The Micropedia, the world’s first encyclopedia of microaggressions, they sought to connect with the public and help raise awareness of these everyday, harmful interactions. While The Micropedia was designed to be an unbiased educational tool, the objective with this project was to create an emotional connection where individuals could understand the real, human response and harmful impact of microaggressions.

The challenge wasn’t just to create awareness that microaggressions are common; it was to create the empathy and self-awareness required to prevent them.

IDEA

Due to their subtle, repetitive nature, microaggressions have been referred to as a death by a thousand papercuts. This inspired Worn Down by Words, a travelling art exhibit. A series of delicately crafted art pieces were created that featured layers of paper, cut to form a person’s silhouette to highlight the harmful impact of these slights and raise awareness for The Micropedia. The exhibit toured public spaces and educational institutions in order to reach folks in environments where they may be experiencing or witnessing microaggressions.

Taking cues from an exhibit experience, the art was accompanied by plaques with The Micropedia’s mission statement and a QR code leading visitors to the tool for further learning. By getting The Micropedia in as many hands as possible, we aim to create a safer society for all.

RESULTS

Interest in The Micropedia and Worn Down by Words saw the exhibit lining the halls of multiple galleries, schools and public organizations. While visits to The Micropedia have been steady since launch, the impact of Worn Down by Words has resulted in significant spikes in access to the tool during exhibit periods – over 13,000 new visitors have been recorded during showings.