Practicing-awareness-of-microaggressions

 My micro-aggression was due to a coworker. I know that she does not mean to be hurtful with her comments and I personally do not see them as hurtful, sometimes she asks just to be sure but it is the way she asks or comment that makes it a micro-aggression. Anyway, we have not that much to do left this year and we were all sitting around discussing having a cookout next week on our last day. When the mention of what types of foods we should have was brought up, she looked at me and was like “well what kinds of foods do you eat?”  Now, I have known several of these ladies for many years, and by now you would think that they know I will eat just about anything, and this being a cookout, really what would be there that I would not want? Then I said “what do you mean what foods do I eat, it’s a cookout right? I will eat whatever is made” she responded, “ok well I was just making sure, I know some of y’all are picky” Now I could have asked her what she meant by some of y’all, but I just let it go. I am so tired, this has been a very trying year and it is almost over, I just say a prayer that God gets me through.

I try not to allow comments made toward me affect me too much. Yes they can be hurtful, and when my children are targeted, I do flip a little bit, but the way I see it there are so many more things in this world that need my attention and energy, like helping children who have no food, clothing or shelter. I do like to volunteer and I am always helping my family members with problems they may have. I myself just say a prayer and move on, but I do understand, that is not always possible.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

When I asked a few people to define culture, this is what was said:

1.      Culture is the values and beliefs people live by

2.      Culture is the way people live

3.      Culture is where you come from, your history, roots and your family’s history

4.      Culture is more about your folklore and your race

When I asked a few people to define diversity, this is what was said:

1.      The difference in how different cultures live

2.      Diversity is the difference between the way people live

3.      Diversity is the combination of different cultures

4.      Diversity is how different cultures interact with one another

Aspects of culture and diversity

While reviewing the answers given to me, I did notice that everyone does link culture with the way people live and where they come from, while diversity is the difference in those cultures. I see culture as a family’s identifier; culture makes you who you are…it is your past, present and future. Diversity shows that not all cultures are the same; it is what makes us unique.

Aspects omitted

The people that answered all said that they had a hard time explaining the definitions and gave brief explanations of each. One thing that I believe some omitted was the fact that culture defines us; it is our past, present and future.

My own thinking

My thinking on culture and diversity has been influenced by the others in that I believe that my thinking is more in-depth and I think about culture and diversity from a personal view point and I view them through 16 little children and their families.

 

My Family Culture

Three items of choice:

      Rope Bed

      Family Tree

      History book of my family

 

What they mean to me:

      The rope bed has been in my family for over a hundred years, it was my great-great grandparent’s bed. My mother used it when she was a little girl and it was passed to her when my great grandmother died. When I was a little girl my parents bought a mattress for it so that I could use it. I am a huge lover of history and the fact that the bed was old and a family heirloom it meant the world to me.

      I have a framed family tree that was done for me for my 40^th birthday that goes back to before my family was even in this country. I love that it includes pictures of my family including mine. I would love to have it so that future generations can see where we came from.

      The history book of my family was also a present for my 40^th birthday and means as much to me as the other items. The book dates to when my family first came here on my father’s side of the family in 1742. I have learned so much from the book including that I have family that fought in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. I also have a picture of my family gathered at Devil’s Den in Gettysburg PA, where my great grandfather lost a close friend. We went there on my 40^th birthday and had another family picture taken to place next to the one taken almost 100 years ago.

 

If I were told I could only keep one item, I am not sure how I would react, I am not sure if I would stay, honestly I cannot answer this question. I know now I would have a lot to say if I were told I cannot keep my items, however, if I had to choose between my children and items my children would come first, but those items rate just below my children because they are my past. They are what made me who I am, and I want my children to have them so that they can pass them down and always have a piece of where they came from.

I enjoyed choosing my items and discussing them, until I had to think about leaving them behind. My family and history are my two great loves in life and I truly do not know what I would do without them. This has been interesting to me because it really made me have to think about what is important to me and truly how important my items are.