Practicing Awarness of Microaggressions

The microaggression I detected this week involved three of my bosses I will call Nancy, Carrie, and Blair and five year old I will call Andy.  I entered Nancy and Carrie’s office to ask about the location of an upcoming meeting because the staff was asking me where the meeting would be held.  Andy was experiencing some behavior outburst; he was releasing some steam by kicking a pack of wipes back and forth across the office with Nancy.  I watched this interaction for about a minute before entering.  When I opened the door entered the office Andy looked at me stopped kicking the wipes and hid himself under Carrie’s desk.  Nancy looked at me and said he is scared of black people; I responded with “oh really”.  She then goes on to say “it is not just you; he responded the same way when two other individuals entered the office”.  The two ladies she named are Latino and I am light brown skinned African-American.  Nancy laughed and pick up a black permanent maker and pretended to color her face.

 I did not think her intention was meant with any malice however, I have worked closely with them for three years and I have seen and heard various instances of microaggressions from other staff members.  My thought about Andy hiding under the desk when I entered was maybe he was reacting from previous experience of being a classroom with me and my choice not to react to his behavior. 

None the less, I have learned not to be offended or threatened by comments made by this group of women because I worked with them for thirty years and I have also seen them go out of their way to help staff when the need arises.  I am not saying this to excuse their behavior.  But in a sense to me I know what to expect and being offended by what they say is what I want to focus on.  Nancy made the statement; I heard it and I have moved on. 

 

 

 

 

Perspective on Diversity and Culture

Thoughts of others on culture and diversity:

          Culture is where people have common beliefs common practices.

          Diversity is differences in people.

College educator

Culture is the collective history and customs shared among a group of people which can include common language, religion or other belief system like politics, ethnicity, arts, clothing or food.

Diversity is the presence of differing cultural elements with a group.

Preschool educator

 

Culture is beliefs, knowledge and behaviors we learn from interacting with, others.

Diversity is having many different elements including races.

Child Care Teacher

Aspects of culture and diversity studied in the course:

          Shared beliefs, language, religion, differences etc...

The aspects of culture and diversity that have been omitted:

          Abilities and disabilities, social class/economic level, sexuality/gender

I think each individuals definition of culture and diversity remained true to what was studied in this week’s resources.  When I looked at the aspects omitted from our topic I realized I only entered my gender and not anything about other omitted aspects.  I will look at my list and consider my abilities and economic level and sexuality.

 

 

         

 

My Family Culture

The three items I would choose to take with me to another destination are my family’s photos, my Dakes study bible, and iPhone.  I would explain that my family photos hold important memories and visuals that I did not want to forget.  Keeping them with me would allow me to adjust my new surroundings.  I would explain to the officials of the host country that in my culture faith is important.  Reading my bible daily connects me with Jesus who I expect to guide me emotionally, mentally and physically through the catastrophe.  I choose my iPhone because it has all my information contact numbers as well as photos that I hold dear.

I would be devastated if I had to give any of the three items; it would be extremely difficult to relinquish any item.  But, the one item I cannot live without is my bible.  My relationship with Christ has open many doors and changed some circumstances in my life so departing with it is unthinkable. 

The more I think about my childhood culture I realize that we were thick in culture with Saturday  card playing, and multiple visitors that filled our house every Saturday.  Some of these people would even spend the night because the card game ended very early on Sunday morning.  I think it is important to accept and learn the difference in others; being open to understand what someone with a thick accent is saying.  As one colleague mentioned in this week’s post learning to pronounce a name is a start to showing support of the difference in people new to this country.