Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week’s blog assignment was interesting to me as I was able to learn about the topic of micro aggressions and its impact it has on so many individuals, class, gender, and races, etc.  I’ve learned that some behaviors and remarks are unintentional and some are regarded as intentional/deliberate prejudices that people have and think about others. During this week’s observations, I was able to witness a form of “microaggression” that was played out as a deliberate insult towards a particular person. One of my colleagues whose office is next to mine is a heavy-set white female who is working on losing weight and is doing a great job at it. She works out every day and is consistent at it.  She has lost a tremendous amount of weight and is still keeping her goals before her. This week I overheard two of her employees talking and laughing about her and how she works out all the time and is still heavy. The comment and assumption made by one lady was that she is fat and they can bet on it that her house is not clean and that she is a “lazy” person.  This was a microaggression in the form of a microassault with an assumption and/or prejudice against fat  and/or heavy-set people.

My emotion towards this assumption was that I was a little taken aback with the comment made. I felt like the comment was unfair and that they should give her more credit for her discipline in sticking to working out and eating properly because my colleague has been working on her weight for a little over a year and has and is looking good. She shared with me that she enjoys food but her health was getting the best of her and that she needed to work on herself. Sometimes people’s assumptions and judgment on others are inconsiderate and harsh. I also felt that they made an unfair judgement about her. To assume that her home is unclean and that she is lazy is unfair. She actually is a very organized person and when it comes to her weight this is something she struggles with as we all have some issues that we need to work on.

My observation this week has reminded me that our society has a long way to go and that people are cruel, and are prejudice. I have been subject to prejudices as a victim and as an unintentional offender. However, when I read of and am reminded of their existence it makes me do better and become a better person in keeping my comments and assumptions to myself. But more importantly, it allows me to be open minded, compassionate and accepting of others even the more.

 

 Perspectives On Diversity and Culture 

  

This week's blog assignment allowed me the opportunity to sit and talk to three friends/colleagues on their perspectives on diversity and culture and how it relates to their world. Many of the responses were similar but because each person is unique in their own rite, expression of their culture and diversity took on a different meaning. 


My initial discussion took place with one of my colleagues whose responses and ideas were similar to what I have read during this past week. She stated, "culture is important because it is what we bring into our families. Things such as my traditions, holidays that I celebrate or choose not to celebrate, my traits and/or behaviors that I have. I think they are the way in which I act and/or respond to certain situations. My interaction and my beliefs and religion. My culture is my connection to self and my family's roots.  Her perspective on diversity is that, "it is being able to adapt to the environment and people you are around and being accepting of others. It is a way of connecting with people"(M. Hemington, personal communication, Nov 12, 2015). 
 
My second conversation consisted of a discussion with my friend who is a Reading Specialist and Elementary School teacher. Her perspective regarding culture and diversity as an African American female. She states, "culture is the make up of characteristics that are shared within families and relationships. They represent beliefs, views and standards that are practiced and applied to families. It also means being proud to be part of a family/culture that represents who we are.  My definition of diversity for me simply means a melting pot of differences"(S.Thompson, personal communication, Nov 11, 2015).  

  
My last discussion was done with my friend/colleague who shared her experience growing up in America and in an area that was not diverse in culture and ethnicities. She states, "culture to me is everything. It means the way in which my grandmother woke us up in the morning to the way in which we celebrated holidays. It also represented our communicative ways with others. It affected the clothes that we were allowed to wear or not, and the way in which we traveled on vacations. I believe diversity is being able to see beyond color and gender. But being able to look into people's thoughts, actions, and their soul of who they are. Growing up, I was not able to see different ethnicities but after the age of 12, I was able to really see the world and see other people that were also part of a world that I had no idea of. I enjoy the differences that people have (T. Heath, personal communication, Nov 13, 2015). 
  

One aspect that I was surprised that was not mentioned is the aspect of food. Food is usually a huge expression of culture. Regardless of the ethnicity, many cultures enjoy sharing this part of their heritage. Food is a way of sharing and building relationships with individuals. Another aspect that was not mentioned but is of importance is religion. Culture does also represent religion. This is big for me as this represents my faith. There are many individuals that do not really practice and/or believe what I believe but this is what makes us different and does affect "diversity".  
 

In conducting these discussions and receiving feedback from my colleagues, I have been influenced by the fact that culture and diversity has different meanings and understanding for many people in different ways. It was interesting to hear my colleagues discuss and share about their personal life experiences and express their feelings on their concepts and share their experiences. I've enjoyed learning of and getting to know my colleagues in a more personal view as they shared their perspectives. Again, for me, accepting people as they are and being open and willing to let them express who they are is something that I am comfortable with doing. 

 

                                                   

MY FAMILY CULTURE 

 

Never in a million years would I imagine having to go through a major catastrophe such as what has been described during this week's blog assignment. However, there have been many people and families that have experienced this situation of being displaced and having to start all over. The three items that would be near to my heart that would represent my family culture would be as follows: 

 

• The first item I would grab would be my scrap book of all our family photos. Within this book would be all of our family pictures that would represent my family heritage. This scrap book would include pictures of family members from my maternal and paternal side of the family.   
• The next item for me would be my "bible" that was given to me by my mother over some 30 plus years ago.      
• The next item would be my grandmother's wedding ring that was given to me by my dad. It represents her legacy, as I did not have the opportunity to meet her. She passed away before I was born and since I was the only daughter on my father's side this was passed down to me.     

For those that would be interested in knowing my story, I would take the time to share with them each of the three memorabilia's and the story of why and how each are significant. I would start with my family photos and share who each one is in our family. I would then share about my bible and how it has impacted my life. The last thing I would share would be the piece of jewelry that was given to my by my dad and that it represents my grandma's legacy.

My feelings would be very emotional if I had to choose only one of the items. All would be hard to leave behind as each one represents a part of my life and culture. My pictures would help me be reminded of the images and faces of family members that are a part of our family. My bible would represent my faith walk. And, my grandmother's piece of jewelry would help remember who she is.

As a result of this exercise, I have been reminded of just how precious life is and at one drop of a dime life can be interrupted with a catastrophe. However, through the years and with the encouragement of many strong men and women, I have been given the gift of "faith" and hope in Christ. This experience for me and my family has been our cultural experience that has been handed down from many generations. I realize that not all people and cultures practice my religion, but this is my cultural experience that makes me unique and different from others.