Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

In my previous place of employment, there were many examples of microaggression that happened if not daily, at least weekly. We all got along very well but there was definitely times were there was a divide between the races. One example of microaggression was when a coworker would say that it was okay for the other coworkers to be late because that is the time that “their” people run off of. This microinsult was out of frustration for this coworker, who was always on time, and had to wait for another coworker to show up so she could leave. She assumed that just because the person was black, that they would always be late because they have their own time. What this coworker didn’t take into account was the home life of the other person and never considered that something could be causing this to happen.

Another example of microaggression happened to me while I was working in the same place. The cook of our daycare came barging into the office, where I was at, and asked, “What is that thing called that you people put on your table as a centerpiece for Thanksgiving?” Do you know what it is? At the time, I had no clue what it was and confused that he thought that “my people” use it all the time as a center piece. The feelings that rushed through me were ones of frustration and confusion. I felt like I lost some of my self-esteem because I was being categorized by what he saw in a magazine.

While observing people this week and thinking back on my own experiences, I realize that stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination is all around me. It doesn’t happen with just race or religion, but with the way we dress or the size of clothes we wear. There are people out there that will look for something to discriminate against, and I believe that is because they are not happy with themselves. They need to put others down so that they can have the power that they may never have any other way.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Today I asked three different people to define culture and diversity to me. I then asked a group of people to define the same terms. This is what they said:
My Cousin

Culture – A way of life, varies based on origin

            Diversity – Wide variety of differences of people or items

My Aunt

            Culture – traditions, values, folk lore, group of people

            Diversity – very long pause… differences of the same thing (gave an example of someone decorating the same type of cake in different ways)

My husband

            Culture – the people and environment in our lives that. How they influence us

Diversity – People from diverse backgrounds

Group of People

Culture – The people in different countries, traditions. Also, could include the arts and sciences (people who have culture). Another definition was well-rounded or having more class or experiences with appropriateness to different environmental factors, such as food, music, clothing

Diversity – Differences (not good or bad). Also, the things that make us different.

I think that one example of culture that I can relate to what we have been studying is when they talked about acting appropriately with new experiences like food, music, and clothing. We have learned that culture includes the music that a group listens to, the food that they eat, and the clothes that they wear, along with parenting styles, and so on.

I also think that the last definition of diversity goes along with what we are learning. My uncles made a point that diversity is the differences that all of us have that are neither bad nor good. When we have talked about diversity it is based off of gender, ethnicity, social-economic status, and sexual orientation. It doesn’t matter what the differences are because we should accept everyone for who they are.

Along with the answers that go along with our studies are certain insights that I think they forgot. Growing up in a big family, parenting styles vary greatly and this is culture as well.

While talking to the people that I interviewed, I learned that the words culture and diversity are not used enough. I think that this topic is one that needs to be known to all, so that we are more accepting of others and their differences. Even while asking my aunt (included in the group response), who is known to give very sophisticated answers, had problems coming up with a definition for both words. While talking to my family, I realized that these are words that we don’t really use and they all started questioning what my class was about. Before I never would have thought of my family as diverse, but looking at what we have learned so far, I realize that diversity is everywhere.

My Family Culture: Week 2

After thinking for quite some time, I realized that the three items that I would want to take was easy. The first item would be my family recipe book. Each card has a recipe that has been passed down from both sides of my family. This recipe book is of very importance to me since it holds all of the comfort foods that I am used to. It will make me feel like I am home even in a new place. The second item that I would bring is a picture of my extended family. Family is very important to us and we get together at least once a month to see everyone. Family would be the thing that I would miss the most. I know that my immediate family would be with me, but when it comes to my family our extended family might as well be our immediate family. This picture would remind me of the times that we have had together and to make sure that I can show pride in who I am with this picture. The third item that I would bring is my rosary beads that have been passed down for generations. The rosary would show the importance of our religion to others and that it is something that our family holds close to our hearts.

If I was told that I could only keep one item that I brought, it would be pretty hard for me to handle. The fact that my family would be with me, would help with this realization. I can always remember my family and the way things were so I don't think it would be too hard to give up the picture. To choose between the recipe book and the rosary would be the worse. Both things mean so much to our family that and to me, that it would be hard to let them go.

Due to this exercise I realized that the most important thing about my family culture is my family. I think the hardest part about something like a catastrophe would be that I would not see most of my family again. My cousins are like sisters and brothers to me, and the thought of them not being around is upsetting. When I think about describing my family to others and the beliefs that we have, I think that it centers around our openness to each other and our love for food! I can't think of a time when we have gotten together, that there wasn't an abundance of food and people sitting around the tables eating and laughing.