Practicing Awareness of Microaggression

Now, that I am aware of  Micro aggression and how they can easily develop but go undetected, there are so many I have experienced and witness throughout. One of them is back in high school, where the dominate culture was Anglo sexton. there was this particular spot where all the African American students would gather together between classes hang out and chat.  I remember walking with my friend who is Caucasian and she said: "Oh that is the black spot, don't go there because then people will think you are like them". I remember saying ' but I am' and her comment was 'but your different, your black but not black, do you know what I mean?' ok and I walked away. At first I thought maybe I should really not relate to them since I am black and I wanted to continue the friendship,  but it did not work out that way. Things started changing once I became friends with many of the girls in many social group, that girl stopped talking to me. I am who I am and will not limit my friendship based on what other perceive me to be or who I should associate myself with.  

This week's topic has been such an eye opener and increase my knowledge and awareness even more. I have done some searching around Micro aggression on the web and you will be amazed on how many stories there are in regards to the topic. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I asked 3 different people to tell me their definition of culture and diversity.  The first person that I spoke with is a former co-worker, Kimberly.  Kimberly told me that she thinks of culture as the background one grows up in, where the person lives, their way of life, values, and traditions.  She thinks of diversity as people from other cultures that have different beliefs, values, and customs.  I believe what she says touches on some of the things that we have learned the past three weeks in this course.  However, I think more of her definitions touch on the surface culture instead of deep culture.

Another person that I spoke with is a family friend.  Her name is Rosa and her family moved here from Mexico when she was a baby.  Her definition of culture and diversity goes along with what we have learned.  She believes that culture is everywhere and in everything we do.  Her belief is that the way that we do things, such as our customs, stems from our culture.  Her family still has the values they brought with them from Mexico, although they have added American culture as well.

Another person that I spoke with is the parent of a child in my classroom.  His definition of culture and diversity is the things we do, where we come from, and how we do things.  He believes culture is a group of people that come from the same place and share the same beliefs.

I was pleased to see that a lot of their answers are some of the same things that we have learned in this class so far.  I was able to have a conversation with each of them and explain what I had learned about diversity and culture.  It was a very good experience to be able to share these things with others. 

My Family Culture

My Family culture

If a catastrophe would strike my home, the three things I would take which would remind me of my culture would be: family pictures, folkloric music, a folkloric item, as I am a descendant of the Gullah Tribe, slaves in the first decades of the 1800s were the first-generation African arrivals.  
I would take family pictures because it would remind me of who and what we did. Remember all the great times we had back in our home. I would take folkloric music  and dance.
because it will remind me of our beautiful music from my home. Music is something that I grew up with and Iremember doing plays in school where we danced our music. 
The third item I would take would be a patch quilt blanket. My reason would be because it would keep us warm and will have a part of our culture with us. 

If I am given the option to keep only one item, It would be a very hard decision to make but I would keep my blanket because it would be something representative about my culture. Our memories would always be kept in our minds and wherever we end up, we will make new ones.

By doing this exercise, it reminded me of where my family can from and how they were brought to America, not by choice but by force.