Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

In this week’s blog assignment we had to describe at least one example of a microaggression in 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 microaggression.

The microaggression I remember from another time happened to a co-worker named Nancy who was Caucasian who had applied to a position that had become available but did not get the job. Another co-worker named Daisy who was Hispanic got the position. I heard Nancy tell someone else she did not understand why she did not get the position she felt she was well qualified and that Daisy did not speak clear and fluent English and did not understand how she got the job. I felt very embarrassed and ashamed that Nancy would say such a comment. Nancy was blatantly using racial microaggression.

In my observation experiences the effects of discrimination prejudices and stereotypes my perception is that they all can affect people in different ways. Some people are able to shrug and brush off ignorance, but often this type of suffering can allow you to develop self-esteem issues, depression, and isolation from people. In early childhood education it is important when dealing with families and children you need to be careful in how you address others, and are sensitive to their needs ensuring you are being professional at all times.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

In this week’s blog discussion we had to reach out to three friends, acquaintances colleagues and ask them their definition of culture and diversity.

 

The first person I reached out to was a friend of mine who I have known for about twelve years now. Her name is Robin her definition of culture was that she believed culture to be your upbringing and how you were raised in your family. She was raised in a Methodist church. She grew up in a very religious family who their faith was what they truly believed and what kept them together as a family. Her definition of diversity was that she believed diversity to be how we are all different and have our own each individual uniqueness.

The next person I reached out too was a colleague named Steven who I work with who is of Hispanic descent. He advised his definition of culture was the embodiment of his surroundings. He grew up in the Catholic faith. He remembers as a child how they would go to mass as a family. He believed as a child that all families did things together as one and continued this through his life. Growing up they would always have huge family meals and shared stories. There was always time for family and being together. His definition of diversity is that we are all of different races, gender, and ages.

 

The last person whom I asked was my good friend Kim who I have known for over twenty years. She defined culture as your beliefs from your upbringing. She grew up in the Baptist religion. She remembers as a child how the church was the family to them they called each other sisters and brothers and truly believed they were all related. Her definition of diversity is the variety of differences that we all are in this world.

 

In the answers received from the people whom I reached out too they all have some form of deep culture in their lives. For example when it came to religion they all expressed how their religion played a big aspect in their lives not just with the surface culture of the religion. Their extended family relationships and values. I would have to say some omissions of culture and diversity are. I do not believe there was any omission of any culture or diversity studies we have covered thus far. In gathering definitions from others about culture and diversity what they felt the definition of culture and diversity to be, I learned that we all have basically the same analysis that it’s about your family upbringing and how we are all different.    

 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

In this week’s blog discussion we had to reach out to three friends, acquaintances colleagues and ask them their definition of culture and diversity.

 

The first person I reached out to was a friend of mine who I have known for about twelve years now. Her name is Robin her definition of culture was that she believed culture to be your upbringing and how you were raised in your family. She was raised in a Methodist church. She grew up in a very religious family who their faith was what they truly believed and what kept them together as a family. Her definition of diversity was that she believed diversity to be how we are all different and have our own each individual uniqueness.

The next person I reached out too was a colleague named Steven who I work with who is of Hispanic descent. He advised his definition of culture was the embodiment of his surroundings. He grew up in the Catholic faith. He remembers as a child how they would go to mass as a family. He believed as a child that all families did things together as one and continued this through his life. Growing up they would always have huge family meals and shared stories. There was always time for family and being together. His definition of diversity is that we are all of different races, gender, and ages.

 

The last person whom I asked was my good friend Kim who I have known for over twenty years. She defined culture as your beliefs from your upbringing. She grew up in the Baptist religion. She remembers as a child how the church was the family to them they called each other sisters and brothers and truly believed they were all related. Her definition of diversity is the variety of differences that we all are in this world.

 

In the answers received from the people whom I reached out too they all have some form of deep culture in their lives. For example when it came to religion they all expressed how their religion played a big aspect in their lives not just with the surface culture of the religion. Their extended family relationships and values. I would have to say some omissions of culture and diversity are. I do not believe there was any omission of any culture or diversity studies we have covered thus far. In gathering definitions from others about culture and diversity what they felt the definition of culture and diversity to be, I learned that we all have basically the same analysis that it’s about your family upbringing and how we are all different.    

 

My Family Culture

In this week's class we had to imagine that a major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of our 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.

I would choose to take a copy of my birth certificate, family portrait, my dog Quincy.  These items are what I would take due these items are what I would believe to be of importance. I would describe my birth certificate is something that I hold dear so that I can remember where I come from and who my parents are. My family portrait is self-explanatory it would be something for me to hold on to so that I can remember happier times, and know the life I left behind. It would reflect how are family was before we got displaced and had to relocate . My dog Quincy we would have to take him he has gotten so attached to our family and especially my husband. He is just lovable and so smart. We would be heartbroken if we could not take him.

 

If when we got there we had to give up an item I would have to give up the family portrait. This would make me feel sort of empty this was a memento that was cherished and was what we had of our previous life besides the memories we made as a family. I learned that this exercise made me think about my life in general how if this was to happen it would make me realize how the small things do not matter. I know that only being able to take one change of clothes makes me think about those people who have had devastation happen to them and they have nothing at all their lives changed instantly and were not able to decide what items to take and clothes to choose.