Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week I was at the park and over heard a group of teenagers talking.  They were using names talking about themselves.  I felt this was a mircoaggression something as an insult for me to hear people of color referring to each other as a “Nigger” instead of their birth name.

One microaggression I remember seeing more times than I would really want to say is how young black males get on to the elevator and white women start to clutch their purses.  Another micro- aggression happened when I was walking down the street with my son’s and white women started to cross the street to the other side.

I felt embarrass for the young because it was clear that they wear unaware of the meaning of our usage of the word.  

My observation experience this week affects my perception that Racism is subjective in that to the assumption that the word “Nigger” is bad does not include a sarcastic banter between two black friends.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

My son expressed culture as being a race, and a range of how people celebrate.  He said, “Diversity is a different style of communication.

My friend of mine defines culture as customs, art, cooking social institutions and achievement of a country and nation of people.  She describes diversity as economics; a culture of people with varies forms of religion and structure of family.

My husband defined culture being people of all beliefs and behaviors.  A make up of people who have characteristics that are individualized.  Shared values and rules.  He defined diversity as creating an environment that reaches as many people as possible and respecting all people.

I believe that the aspects that believe that the aspects of culture and diversity I studied in this course are included in the answers I received from my son when he talked about celebrating.  The example is contained in the word celebrate which means food, clothing, history and religion.

One aspect I believe has been omitted is education.  An example of such omission would be children taught at home or quitting school once they become a certain age, girls not being educated.

I believe thinking about other people definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics by allowing me to be more open-minded.  Help me to see others that have a different thought process.

MY FAMILY CULTURE

My Family Culture

I would choose the Bible, water and a family picture

I would explain to others that the Bible contains guidance for every situation you find your self in.  This book was the first book that was given to me as a child.

My family photography gives me a visual of the people I was created from and helps me to remember my roots.

I list water as an item because I would not be sure if the water supply would be drinkable or if the taste would be so different than what I am use to.  By having my own water supply would probably help me tolerate the rest of my new surrounds better.

If, I was told that upon arrival, that I had to give up two of my three items I would feel confused, maybe thinking it must be a miss communication and lastly I would comply with the request.  After going through all that I had been through at that point I feel personal the best thing is to go alone with what people in authority have to say.

After completing this exercise it gave me food for thought.  For example it made me think about what is important to me and what is important to my family and what represents me as a person.  All of the things I listed in my assignment represent my family culture the difference in me as a person and the diversity of my culture.