Microaggression: Then & Now

by Don Beukes, Heath Brougher, Miriam Ruano

In this new hard hitting anthology by Creative Talents Unleashed, authors from around the world pour out their experiences of ‘Microaggression’.The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “A comment or action subtly and often unconsciously expressing a prejudiced attitude towards a member of marginalized group”Derald Wing Sue defines Microaggression as “ The brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial, gender, and sexual orientation, and religious slights and insults to the target person or group”In today’s society we are all a part of, whether we like it or not; we are forever scrutinizing our dialogue and conversation, looking out for offensive and insulting content. Today, words don't just insult, they also inflict verbal violence with long lasting psychological effects, causing unimaginable inner conflict and problems with forming healthy personal relationships.The authors of Microaggression – Then & Now are speaking out. They are victims themselves and bravely share their experiences, concerns, hopes and fears through poetry and prose. They speak of a lack of empathy and tolerance in society. They warn of how words can cut, stir, disrupt and destroy. They refuse to accept others telling you that ‘you can't or ‘you’re not good enough’. They document long term derision, mocking of a person's skin color, sexual orientation and the dismissal of others and the lasting effects this has on all of us experiencing this. They want you to know that your handicap does not make you less of a human being. They know and understand that some of you struggle to find your voice and prefer to exist in the margins of society. They also realize that some of you wear your hearts on your sleeves and they want you to know that it is fine. It is what makes you unique. If others see this as a weakness or handicap, remain steadfast within yourself and take comfort in the knowledge that they themselves are the lost ones, the lonely ones, the broken ones.Some of us unfortunately do not know which emotional tools to use to control our inner well-being, so when others silence us, overpower us, misunderstand us or dismiss us, we choose to step back behind our veil of inner personal safety. This anthology aims to give you the courage to speak out, reach out, and break the mold of silence.Derald Wing Sue further argues that “perpetrators of Microaggression are often unaware of the indignities that they inflict on others”. Be brave and find your voice to let them know that you refuse to be silent, you refuse to let them break you, you refuse to let them belittle you and dehumanize you. The authors in this anthology want you to know you are not alone. Don Beukes, author of The Salamander Chronicles

90 pages, Paperback

Published February 16, 2018

About the author

Don Beukes was born in Athlone in Cape Town, South Africa. He spent his childhood in Elsies River and Belhar and graduated at the University of the Western Cape with a BA Degree in English and Geography in 1992 where he also studied Psychology. He then qualified as a teacher with a Higher Diploma in Education (Post-Graduate) in 1993.

He is a retired teacher of English and Geography and taught for Twenty years in both South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Don's debut collection of poetry, 'The Salamander Chronicles', was published in December 2016 by Creative Talents Unleashed, dealing with a range of themes such as oppression, bullying, politics, globalism, sexism, abuse, birth, death, refugees, as well as racism, having been born, raised and educated during the last two decades of Apartheid.

His second book 'Icarus Rising - Volume One' is a collection of Ekphrastic poetry with most of the poems based on original artwork and close collaboration with artists from South Africa, America and the UK.

His South African publication debut of fourteen exclusive poems was published in August 2018 with three other prominent SA authors Bevan Boggenpoel, Leroy Abrahams and Selwyn Milborrow in a unique anthology 'In Pursuit of Poetic Perfection', which upon release went to number 1 in 'African Literature' on Amazon Kindle.

His fourth book 'Sic Transit Gloria Mundi' published by Concrete Mist Press reached #3 on Amazon in its second week in 'African Literature'.


His writing journey was shaped during the last ten years and only came to fruition in May 2015 when he collaborated with a well known South African comedian and artist, Casper De Vries for an ekphrastic poetry exhibition (in absentia), based on selected artwork by Mr. De Vries for the 'Aapstrak Vat 5 Art Exhibition' at the Alice Art Gallery in Ruimsig, South Africa in both English and Afrikaans.


His poetry has been published in numerous literary magazines and journals in the USA, Canada, India, Bangladesh and the Philippines, as well as in various anthologies. Some of his poems have also been translated into Albanian by Irsa Ruçi and in Farsi by Soodabeh Saeidnia as well as Afrikaans. He recently collaborated with internationally renowned cartoonist, artist and animator, Nanda Soobben, from Durban in South Africa; as well as Jonel Scholtz, Amitabh Mitra, Shameeg Van Schalkwyk and Vakseen, a Vanity Pop artist based in Los Angeles, USA.


He has been nominated for 'Best of the Net 2017' by the editor of Scarlet Leaf Review, Roxana Nastase for his trilogy, 'Esorfo Ygolirt/Trilogy of Rose'.

He plans to use his publication success to establish his own foundation in South Africa one day to improve literacy in schools and to promote a reading culture in impoverished communities, as he is passionate about the state of education in South Africa and indeed the global village.