Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

About a month ago, I went to an early childhood development workshop with some of my co-workers. I arrived at the workshop early, placed my belongings on the desk and went to the restroom. When I returned to the class room to get in my seat, I saw that my belongings had been moved to the end of the row and Sarah, a Caucasian co-worker was sitting in my seat. I said, “Hey what happened? Why do you move my stuff? She grins and said, “Oh I didn’t think that you were coming back any time soon, you know yah are always late? I simply smiled said thanks for saving a seat and decided it would be best to address the issue after the workshop.

I feel the microagression was of the racial context. Sarah was applying the stereotype that African Americans are always late and felt it was ok to move my things. I felt disrespected when my things were moved and offended that she felt like it was ok to make that comment to me. I also questioned my sensitivity to the situation. I did not know whether I was over thinking the situation or if I truly should have been offended. I felt better after I spoke with Sarah and explained my feelings. Punctuality is not a cultural trait and I work really hard to try to be on time for events.

My observation experiences this week has made me more sensitive the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes on people. It has also let me know that even as a minority we are all guilty of slight microagression weather it’s for ableism, religionisms, racism, or classism. As a child my grandmother use to tell me that stick and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you. I now realize that is not true. Verbal microagression cause just as much harm if not more harm to a person’s self-esteem, pride, and confidence. The goal that I have for my self is if in doubt to ask questions instead of making assumptions about people.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

It was nice to see my colleague’s definition of cultural and diversity aligns with the information that I have learned from this course. Ms. Cathy - culture is a way or belief in which one is raised, while diversity is a blended group of people& with different perspectives, beliefs, and culture values. Mr. Eric believes culture is a form of tradition and values that people hold in high regard. Diversity is a wide range of culture, ethnicities, religion, personalities, and other things that makes each person and or people unique. Ms. Suzanna feels that culture is a person's music, art, dance, their language, ethical background, customs, religion, language, and history of where they come from and where they live now. She also feels that diversity covers the melting pot of people which includes a variety of backgrounds, education, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and race.

Each of my colleagues from work said that culture had something to do with beliefs, traditions, and customs of people. I was pleased to hear different aspects of diversity to include parenting styles, ethnic groups, sexual orientation and ethnic groups.

Some of the main aspects of cultural and diversity that was omitted was the political, economic status, class, and gender components. I believe these components may have been brought up among friends and family but co-workers may not feel comfortable discussing their political or economic status in reference to its influence on cultural and diversity.

Thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity has influenced my own thinking about these topics because it shows the importance of broadening everyone’s view on culture and diversity. It seems like everyone is familiar with surface culture but the true power struggle and issues that are associated with culture and diversity comes from deep issues like gender, sexual orientation, political association and parenting styles. I learned so much from talking to my colleagues and it was also enlightening to get a different perspective than my own.

My Family Culture

The three items I would choose during such an catastrophic event would be the family bible which has been passed on for six generations before I received it, the most recent group people of my family, and the crusade blanket that my mother made when I was a child.

The best way to explain to others what each item means to me is to tell of their value and significance. The family bible is important because not only is it a trace of my family history but doing the desperate times that would be present doing a major disaster, the scripture provides hope, strength, wisdom, and courage for my family and others to lean on. The most recent picture of my family is significant because it serves as a visual representation of my family culture and a memory of when all of the family was in their own culture and together. The crusade blanket is more of a childhood family memento but will begin a family tradition. This item is value because I can teach each of the members to crusade to add a piece to the blanket and to continue to pass it on to the future generations. This blanket will represent our culture in the United States, the culture in the new country and a reminder of the family to make it during difficult times when the family returns to America.

I would be devastated if upon arrival I was told that I could only keep one personal item and had to give up the other too. Trying to make a decision on which items to let go would be difficult but I believe the item I would keep would be the family bible because of the inspiration that it provides and the strong sense of family history and culture that it provides.

This exercise made me think about what is really important in my life and family. I realized just how much I rely on faith to keep me going during life's challenges. I also realized how much of my family history is preserve during mementos and photos which ensures the continuity of my culture.