Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

At the beginning of this week you were asked to observe your own and other people’s verbal interactions and detect examples of microaggression. In this Blog Assignment, you will share what you experienced and what you learned from your observations.

• Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

Late last week while speaking with a group of women, 2 African American and 3 Caucasian. We discussed education and children in south Atlanta. One of the caucasian women said to one of the African American women when discussing African American families and their involvement in their child's education "well, you know how your people like to do...they only come to the school or do something if the police gets involved."

In my opinion this implied that parents of African American students don't get involved in their child's education. I had to speak up and let this women know how involved my husband and I are in addition to many of our friends...in our children's education. In addition, we not only care about our own children but others in the community. I was appalled at what she said so comfortably within our small circle. It put both myself and the other African American women in a very awkward position.

• In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people

My experience this past week made it very known to me that discrimination, stereotypes and prejudice still exist in 2011. Although we have overcome so much as a nation we have so far to go. It makes me even more motivated to teach my children about the correct way to treat others and to not pass judgement.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This weeks assignment called for us to branch out and see what others think about culture and diversity. This assignment was particularly interesting as its always great to hear others perspective on things.

For this assignment:

• Call, write to, or talk to at least three friends, family members, acquaintances, and/or colleagues. Include at least one person who you believe is in some ways culturally different from you (a different gender, race, class, religion, abilities, age, etc.). 


• Ask each person to share:

◦ Their definition of culture

Friend 1: I define culture as a person’s race and traditions they do with their family. Traditions that only they share and no one else from another race can really understand.

Friend 2: Culture is so many things. I think each person has his or her own culture. Culture is more than ethnicity to me. Culture embodies all the great things that make us individuals.

Family Member 1: Culture is a lot of things I share with my loved ones. My culture includes all the experiences I share with my children, our traditions, our heritage and our ethnicity. Culture is our family and all we represent summarized into one word.

◦ Their definition of diversity


Friend 1: Diversity is different cultures.

Friend 2: Diversity is very similar to culture…they go hand and hand. Diversity represents the various differences in each of us. The traits and characteristics that make us different.

Family Member 1: Diversity is various ethnicities and the differences that they have.

After reviewing the notes, I received some similar answers on this topic. Majority of which are quite relative to what I’ve been studying. I think everyone is on the right track but needs to elaborate a bit more. Based upon what we learned I think detailed characteristics of diversity and culture has been omitted from people’s definition of the words. I also think people are a bit afraid to elaborate on the subject for fear of hurting feelings or being viewed as insensitive. I think others need to think of culture and diversity in a less broad term.

My Family Culture

In my new ECE masters course we are studying and learning about culture. This weeks assignment took a lot of critical thinking on my part which I didn't expect. I really enjoyed the exercise and have sense shared it with other family members to get their input.

Imagine the following:

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

• A description of the three items you would choose

The three items I would definitely chose are my grandmother’s bible which houses family history and information inserted in her handwriting throughout the bible. I would also chose the family photo album which has the most current pictures of our family dating back 4 generations. Last I would choose my grandmothers recipe book. This has all her recipes some in her handwriting, and others my cousin and I have typed out.

• How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you

I would explain the significance all these pieces play in not only my culture but my families history and traditions. The bible is something that is extremely sacred to my grandmother and something she shares with all her grandchildren. Its been in our family for many years. The photo album is also a very important part of our family as it has pictures of majority of the members of our families and some include a brief paragraph of their personal history. Last, the recipe book is also important as this will help past down traditions and valuable family history, which for us includes food.

• Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you

I would be totally devastated to give up 2 of the important personal items but I would chose the bible. I definitely feel faith, and the word of God can get you through anything. My grandmother has taught me so much about my history I would just hope that I could serve as the vessel to pass the information on.

• Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise

This exercise really made me stop and think about things that are important to me. I’ve always had faith in God but the thought of being faced with an adversity I thought of the first thing my grandmother and grandfather have always told me…turn to God when in need. This assignment has also made me realize how important it is to me to preserve my families history and overall culture. Its something I really want my children and generations to come to know and understand.