[2] Hong defined the title of the book as the emotions felt by marginalized minority groups in a predominantly white society, feelings that are not only disregarded but also considered excessive.

Hong focused on anti-blackness within the Asian American community, and the racial unfairness showed by the predominantly White society of the United States of America towards black and Brown people compared to Asian-Americans.

[4][3] Minor Feelings' sixth essay critiqued the lack of media exposure on murders and assaults of Asian-Americans, specifically women, and discussed Theresa Hak Kyung Cha and her book Dictee.

[3] Minor Feelings' the seventh and final essay, covered 4 different topics: activism, politics, white supremacy, and the contrasts between living in South Korea and the United States of America.

"[12] Writing for the Los Angeles Review of Books, Cassie Packard said, "Dry and delightfully off-key, Hong’s sense of humor is anchored in self-mockery, if not self-flagellation.

"[17] Hyphen's Ananya Kumar-Banerjee provided a mixed review, saying, "I didn’t find Hong’s ruminations on the inconsistency of the Asian American political identity on which 'the paint ... has not dried' particularly revelatory.

"[26] Sophia Nguyen, writing for The Washington Post, also offer a mixed review, initially saying, "'Minor Feelings' could serve as a Cliff Notes to Asian American existence for anyone new to the subject (white or otherwise).