Cross-Racial Microaffirmations: Concepts and Applications

In contrast to the burgeoning body of work on microaggressions, microaffirmations have been under-theorized, under-researched, and under-emphasized in anti-racist efforts. To address this imbalance, we highlight the relevance of cross-racial microaffirmations (CRMs). CRMs are brief, everyday allyship-based social actions and messages, extending beyond social conventions and occupational requirements, that proximally enhance or protect people of color’s sense of mattering linked to their personal or racial identities. We expand on this definition, outline the conceptual boundaries of CRMs, and identify concepts from positive psychology (mattering), as well as multiculturalism and social justice (allyship), that delineate CRMs’ conceptual foundations. We then elucidate a typology of CRMs comprising microrecognitions, microtransformations, and microprotections. Practical implications involve incorporating CRMs into anti-racist efforts across diverse fields, including education, psychotherapy, healthcare, and organizational settings. Future research could develop a CRM scale, assess the effectiveness of CRMs in anti-racist training, and evaluate applications of CRMs in diverse settings.