Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Since I have read and learn about what microaggressions are it is almost easy for me to recognize when it is happening to me or someone else. Dr. Wing Sue (2011) describes microaggression as social exchanges in which a member of a dominant culture says or does something, often accidentally, and without intended malice, that belittles and alienates a member of a marginalized group. The microaggression I was able to detect was between my two daughters. They were talking about the ultrasound my oldest daughter took and the weeks she is pregnant.  My oldest daughter asked my middle daughter what was the calculation of 23 weeks in pregnancy term, but before she could answer the question. My oldest daughter said “can you count unless you need my help”. I immediately said “Don’t do that” my oldest daughter said “do what?” I begin to explain about my homework assignment on microaggression and you are doing it right now to your sister. I let my oldest daughter know that even though she is not saying it directly you are saying that your sister is slow, dumb and cannot count, in which all is wrong and is indirect microaggressions. 

One of my co-workers told me about experience in which her daughter had which involved microaggression between her granddaughter and the nail salon worker. My co-worker’s daughter decided to take her niece to the nail salon. When they got there the nail technician who normally works on their nail was absent. The granddaughter really did not want any of the other workers to do her nails. So she begin to talk about them by saying mean things such as: they do not know how to do nails that good and/or they are stupid because they did not know how to speak English. The aunt said “that’s enough and that is bad to say”.  The granddaughter said “so” and continues to speak saying it is ok because they do not understand what I am saying. So, the granddaughter refused to stop talking that way, so the auntie said “I will not take her with me ever again”. First of all I believe the granddaughter was showing racial aggression and assuming the salon worker could not speak English that she could not understand how the granddaughter was belittling her (salon worker) and be bias.  

In both case I believe it is wrong to belittle another person whether it is knowing or unknowing. It is important be aware of our intent in which we say things to others, so that we will not come out in a way that is discriminating, prejudice and/or stereotyping. I believe with the two above scenario my alert, aware and more knowledgeable to what a microaggression look like came on and I was a little upset about the situation.

References:

Laureate Education (2011). Microaggression in everyday life. Retrieved from http:

            //class. Waldenu. edu  

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

The three people I was able to get their perspective and definition on culture and diversity was a teenager, a Hispanic woman and an African American man.

The teenager said……

Culture is fashion the clothes we wear, the type of music we listen to and the way we live. Diversity is knowing people are not the same and do not live the same way.

The Hispanic woman said…..

Culture is who we are and where we came from. It is our family generation and the good times we have when we come together to celebrate birthday, wedding or special holiday. It is the language we speak. Diversity is different families who have their own way of living and their own way of doing things.

The African American man……..

Culture is the way we learn, live and develop. It is a lifetime of history. It is doing what we have being taught to do from generation to generation. Diversity to me is being different.

The aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course have been included in the answers from the three individual and their intake on this manner. They have stated the fact that culture is the way we define family (who they are and where they came from), it is how they live, morals and the way family celebrate through music, dancing, fashion and language.

From the three responses I did not hear any response on their religious standpoint and the upbringing past down on family’s belief. I understand every family has their own way of thinking living and doing things. That’s what make family has their own uniqueness. Many times we picture culture or diversity to be one way, but in fact there is a change each time a new generation rise up. I believe nothing is taking away but an added on of new way of doing things, living, learning, lifestyle, belief, values and/or morals.  

My Family Culture

The three small items I would choose that hold dear to me and that represent my family culture are: a small box with the family photo, the bible and family heirloom which are jewelry that is of value. I would explain to others why I selected each of these items and how they will work for me in the strange country. First of all, the family photo album will keep me in remembrance of my entire love one, of the good times we had together and never forgetting where I came from since the start of my generation/family tree (great grandparents down to me or my generation). The family bible was selected so that I can remember to keep the belief, value and truth in which my family live upon. The family valuable heirloom was selected because I may have to use it to live on when I am into a strange country to live.

            My feeling upon arrival when I was told I could take one personal item will be sad, confused and disappointed at the same time. It was already hard for me just to leave everything behind and select only three things; just to find out when I get to the new country I can only take one thing.  The insight I have gained about myself is the fear of not knowing what will happen to me and my family/culture if this was true and I have to relocate to a different country upon someone else order. Although this is just an assignment I have taken much thought, had so many feeling to what I would do or bring and become scared to make the decision of what two thing I will give up and one thing I would keep. Another thing this exercise made me realized how important it is to value my family culture and the culture of the children and their family I service each and every day.