Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions
      I have experienced microaggression as an African American female. I walked in a clothing store one day to shop. As soon as I entered the store the sales associate, which was a white female ask me if I needed assistance. I had just entered the store. She didn’t give me a chance to browse the items. I politely told her “no thank you, I am just looking.” She continued to stare at me while I continued to do my shopping. There were other customers that she could have asked if they needed her help. These customers were also white. One of the everyday insults, indignities and demeaning messages sent to people of color by well-intentioned white people are unaware of the hidden messages being sent by them (Laureate Education, 2011). I was followed around the store as if I was a criminal. The hidden message I received was: All Black people are criminals.

       According to Dr. Sue ((Laureate Education, 2011), microaggression is a verbal behavior towards, race, gender, sexual orientation as well as disabilities. I consider this to be a racial aggression. Even though microaggression could be intention and unintentional, this action was clearly intentional. Racial microaggressions are the brief and everyday sights, insults, indignitied and denigrating messages sent to people of color by well-intentioned White people who are unaware of the hidden message being communicated.

       This incident made me more aware of the power of actions and words, when it comes to intentional insults. My best practices are to treat each and every individual with respects and care.

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011c). Microaggressions in Everyday Life [DVD].

Baltimore, Learning MD. Author.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

            Since studying about culture during this course I have learned that culture consists of the shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that guide the behaviors of group members.

"We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all threads of the tapestry are equal in vaalue no matter what their color." Maya Angelou

I ask three friends and co-workers to define culture and diversity.

Bradley- 32

Culture is shared knowledge by a set of people

Diversity is the presence of people from a wide range of backgrounds, and different traits.

Elizabeth- 56

Culture is a system of beliefs, values, and assumptions about life that guide behavior and shared by a group of people.

Diversity is the state or quality of being different.

Angela- 40

Culture has to do with values and beliefs.

Diversity means being different. It is exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment.

The aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course include factors of culture such as food, religion, clothing, and language. Aspects of diversity are age, gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.

Diversity is more than just tolerating differences. It is respecting, appreciating, and understanding the varying characteristics of individuals.

Some aspects that have been omitted are government, recreation, environment, and economy.In the face of diversity every individual is at a different level. Every person brings their own unique experience.

          

My Family Culture

My Family Culture

            If a major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of my country three items I would choose to take with me to keep my family culture and well-being intact for generations would be the family album, family bible, and family recipe box. My family album is a treasure and memento to me. There are picture of my family at early ages in our life. We have school day pictures, pictures of family gathering during the holiday, and snapshots of family members. My family album can almost tell a story from the beginning. The bible is what we were raised on by my mother and grandmother. My mother can quote scriptures form the bible to make you understand her wisdom. The family recipe box holds a history of family recipes that were passed on from generation to generation. There are customs related to this recipe box that only members of the family were given access to for their family. 

            If I was told that I had to give up two of the three items I would be hurt. I would choose to keep the family album because of the keepsakes from the family.

            I have gained insights about my family culture and diversity through my pride in my families’ cultural identity, heritage, and traditions. Culture is about differences-legitimate, important differences. My family culture has shared attitude, values, goals, and practices that characterize an institution or organization.