Micro-Aggressions, the oddness of it.

The thoughts of today surround this odd thing called Micro-Aggression.

It was coined in 1970 by a Harvard U professor and psychiatrist.  This term can be applied to many areas, but it mostly comes to the surface in the context of conversation between parties and usually result in some one being upset.

Basically, how it works is speech, whether intentional or unintentional that communicates hostile, derogatory or negative prejudicial slights and insults toward any group.(wikipedia)
In essence, this means that anything one might say to another can be taken in those negative ways by the other despite the context or intention of the person speaking.  
The issue lies in the response of the person feeling negative.

From my observations, when some one feels "aggressed", the typical response comes in the form of defensive behavior.  This defensive behavior culminates in several forms.  Most common is speech.  An example being, Joe asks "Where are you from?"  Stan feels aggressed because he feels Joe is implying he doesn't belong there.  This puts Stan in defense mode and respond with "Why?! You don't think I belong here?!?", this is the defensive behavior.  
If Stan felt that the aggression was more than that and had low levels of self-control, this could culminate in a physical response such as a shove to a punch to whatever else he feels is a necessary response.
The obvious problem in this type of encounter (which actually isn't uncommon) is that Joe never intended anything negative from a very simple inquiry.  However, Stan felt aggressed and hence, lashed out at Joe.  The thing that exacerbates any potential problem is that the more Stan feels aggressed, the more justified he feels in  however he chooses to respond.

This is such an odd phenomenon, that we have reached such a sensitive level in our increasingly politically correct culture.  The fascinating part, is that why people would feel "aggressed" over very simple speech.  
I've often pondered over this and have come to noticed that I can trace this to another interesting phenomenon which is the need to assume.  I've noticed as a society, we've come to try to anticipate and assume the intentions of the person we're speaking with rather than paying attention to the literal words that are being spoken.
Granted, words combined with tone and body language allows for a certain level of interpretation outside of the meaning of the actual words, however, "Some times a cake, is just a cake".
Even the best technology we have can't mind read, let alone we as individual people.  Stan trying to read Joe's mind or expecting for Joe to read his mind only serves to cause frustrations on both sides with a very unproductive outcome.
As a society, we'd most likely be better served if we listened and controlled the need to assume(mind read) and to ask questions if the intention doesn't seem clear.  Micro-Aggressions seem to be an extreme version of the need to assume and the inability to filter feelings from the words being spoken.

This vulnerability to be Micro-Aggressed appears to also be most apparent in the people I've observed to have other issues.  Being insecure, easily depressed, stubborn, etc.  I find this particularly true in people who have self-confidence issues which happen to be mostly younger people, teenagers through mid 20's.  Although I'm seeing it in people also in the middle ages, though not as often and not as extreme on the sensitivity scale.

The solutions my thoughts have lead me too, are to have more conversations about uncomfortable subjects whatever they may be for the individual.  For someone who realizes they fit these descriptions and knowingly engages in discussions from the least uncomfortable and gradually moving towards very uncomfortable.  This will allow for the person to work on themselves and keep track of their feelings and progress in their tolerance and the ability to filter the feelings from the words.