“Microaggressions are describes as death by a thousand paper cuts.” This thought inspired Zulu Alpha Kilo to develop a travelling art exhibit, Worn Down by Words, that extends its encyclopedia for microaggressions, The Micropedia of Microaggressions, launched in December 2021.

The Micropedia of Microaggressions has been used since launch in over 125 countries and been incorporated into countless diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs across public, private and non-profit sectors. Worn Down by Words aims to continue to raise awareness of the harmful impact of these everyday slights and what we can do about it.

The Worn Down by Words exhibit includes four provocative pieces, each visualising the impact microaggressions can have on a person’s mental health. Each microaggression is shown outside a laser cut silhouette: “Where are you really from?”, “That’s so gay,” “She’s such a bitch,” and “Shouldn’t all lives matter?” The silhouette itself is constructed several layers deep of cut paper, demonstrating how words can wear someone down over time. The internalised harm is represented in a final red layer.

The series is displayed with a QR code driving to TheMicropedia.org for further learning and prevention.

“The goal has always been to get The Micropedia into as many hands as possible, because anyone can experience, witness, or cause a microaggression,” stated Stephanie Yung, head of design & executive creative director at Zulu Alpha Kilo. “By visualising the impact of microaggressions in a simple and focused way, we’re all able to become more self-aware and empathetic to individuals’ experiences and the power of our words with the ultimate goal of affecting behaviour change.”

The exhibit will be touring different settings, including galleries, schools, workplaces and public spaces. To date, it has been displayed at Remote Gallery, Show Gallery, the Toronto Film School and Humber College.

“When we know better, we can do better,” noted Nadine Spencer, president and chief executive officer of the Black Business & Professional Association. “Giving people access to a tool like The Micropedia, is bringing us a step closer to building a more inclusive and welcoming society for all.”

“The Micropedia project and the Worn Down by Words exhibit brings to life the damage of  microaggressions, adds valuable new knowledge and builds on our extensive research with BBPA and others about the need to increase inclusion of equity-deserving groups within the workplace and within leadership,” added Wendy Cukier of the Diversity Institute, which was a collaborator of the Micropedia of Microaggressions and is a lead organisation supporting Canadian companies in the 50-30 Challenge to advance gender parity and increased diversity on boards and in senior leadership roles. 

The Micropedia of Microaggressions was created by Zulu Alpha Kilo on behalf of Canada’s leading DEI groups – The Black Business and Professional Association, The Canadian Congress on Inclusive Diversity & Workplace Equity, Pride at Work, and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute. It has been applauded globally, including two Cannes Lions, a Fusion Pencil at the One Show and a D&AD Graphite Pencil, and is being distributed to over 1,500 organisations participating in the Government of Canada’s 50-30 challenge.

Credits

Clients: Black Business & Professional, Pride at Work Canada, Canadian Congress on Inclusive Diversity & Workplace Equity, and Diversity Institute
Client Team: Nadine Spencer, Alex Ihama, Wendy Cukier, Colin Druhan

Agency: Zulu Alpha Kilo
Chief Creative Officer & Creative Director: Zak Mroueh
Executive Creative Director & Head of Design: Stephanie Yung
Art Director: Andrea Por
Writer: Christina Roche
Design Director: Jeff Watkins
Illustrator: Nabil Elsaadi
Account Team: Rob Feightner, Letty Castillo, Amy Nguyen, Karla Ramirez, Alexa Macdonald
Agency Producer: Jason Pearson, Kenneth Haz
Studio Director: James Graham
Production Artists: Jeannette Downes, Ashleigh O’Brien