Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

     One example of a microaggression in which I detected this week was between two staff. One staff is Muslim/Hispanic female and the other is African American male. A child in the classroom in which these two teachers teach has a fear of clowns. This was discovered as the children were engaged in an art activity. The teachers were engaged in a conversation regarding their approach in easing the child's fear. The female staff made a comment, "You're a clown, an evil clown!" The male staff appeared irritated and responded, "You've got nerve, clowns wear the same kind of stuff on their head like you do!" The female staff shook her finger at him and stated, "Don't make fun of my Religion!"

The context of the microaggression was intentional, but as a rebuttal to an insult.

     I was tickled initially, but I did not laugh. I felt that she was out of line by calling him a clown. We have to recognize that when we speak words to people, we never know what we will receive in return as a response. I felt that the male staff could have handled the situation differently, and that it was an exchange of words based on retaliation.
    
     My observation experiences have affected my perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and or stereotypes on people by acknowledging that people react based on their strengths as an individual. Some people may become withdrawn, defensive, physical, or vocal as a means to protect themselves. I believe people have the right to live their lives without being judged, period! No one is perfect in this world...as long as people are not causing harm to others, being productive, ad teaching our children to be respectful and positive contributors to society...the only judgments made should be regarding the manner in which people attempt to stop the negativism, discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

    Carrisa - Age 26 - Mexican/German/Irish - "Culture to me is the heritage, birthplace, language, and the food and hobbies that you grow up with"...diversity is where you come from, ethnic background, and race" (Huff, 2015).
    
    Elaine - Age 45 - Filipino - "Belief! Culture is a group of people with different values that can be passed to generations like the way you dress and our behaviors. Here in America the men wear a coat and tie, but in the Philippines men wear a barong tagalong (long sleeve polo)...diversity is different people, values, cultures, and beliefs" (Villamor, 2015).

     Marquavious - Age 20 - African American - "Culture consists of different races that have their own language, beliefs, and style...diversity would be people that have different backgrounds" (Jones,2015).
     These are three perspectives of what culture and diversity mean to three very different people with different backgrounds. Some answers reflect my studies in regards to surface culture, "things that are easy to see, taste, and define" (Derman-Sparks, et., al., 2010, p. 56) and deep culture, "cultural patterns...resulting from generational economic class, urban/rural, and other influences" (Derman-Sparks, et., al., 2010, p. 56).
     Examples of culture and diversity would be in regards to the answers that I received is related to the statement, "Here in America" (E.Villamor, personal Communications, 15September2015). This is related to my studies of the dominant culture and the other answers are consistent with what people believe culture and diversity is; only what we see and assume.
     Some omissions of culture would be religion and holiday celebrations.
     My thinking in regards to culture and diversity have been influenced by other people's definitions by learning to listen to people from all walks of life and understand how they view our world. I was amused when speaking with others because one person instructed me to search, https://www.google.com and I could get the right answer! I believe culture and diversity go hand-in-hand, because each culture is different in many aspects, and when people of various cultures unit, learn from each other, and share their lives; we become knowledgeable, compassionate, and tolerant with less judgment, "The way culture is learned is from people around you" (Laureate Education, 2011, Gonzalez-Mena - Author).

 

 

References

(C. Huff, personal communications, September 14, 2015)

(E. Villamor, personal communications, September 15, 2015)

(M. Jones, personal communications, September 15, 2015)

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and

     ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children     

     (NAEYC).

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Culture and diversity [Video file]. Retrieved from

     https://class.waldenu.edu

 



My Family Culture

     If my immediate family and I were survivors of a catastrophe and there was a possibility that we had to be relocated to other countries by the government permanently and allowed to take one change of clothes and three small items only; I would choose to take the following items that I hold dear and that represent my culture: 1) A  silver locket that I will pass down to my oldest daughter that contains a picture of my great-grandmother (African/Cherokee), grandmother, and great-aunt. My children only met my grandmother but did not have an opportunity to the others, all of which are no longer in the physical world, but everything I am is because of these three women and I have information passed to me through them that I can share and hopefully my daughters will share with their children some day. 2) A dark blue photo album with Pierce Family engraved on it that contains pictures of my family reunions from the first to the most recent that show the fun, love, growth, and importance of family. 3) My white with gold trim sorority bible given to me during my years in college. I believe in any culture no matter what language is spoken we can find kinship in a higher power, service toward those in need, and an opportunity to learn about the history of African American Greek organizations in general.
     My feelings if, upon arrival, I was told that I could only keep one personal item and had to give up the other two items I brought with me would initially be resistant! I would have questions and probably be loud, argumentative, and angry. I would try my best (with my husband in my ear saying "calm down") to fight to take at least two of these items.
     Insights that I have gained as a result of this exercise is the thought process I had to go through in regards to what items I would take with me. If these items were destroyed during the catastrophe then I would get over it in time but I always have my knowledge of my family culture to share with others. Honestly, the only three important parts of my culture would be my husband and my two daughters, because nothing could replace them!