Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

I went to a church function about six months ago, and I ended up sitting at a table with a Principal that I had interviewed with awhile back.  We were very amicable and talkative at the table for awhile.  When her husband sat down, she introduced me to him as a teacher that she interviewed awhile back.  She continued to go on and say that I didn’t get the job because I lacked a few qualifications. 

According to Dr. Sue in the video this week, I experienced microinvalidation.  The principal insulted my professional experience.  At the time that this took place, I felt embarrassed and shocked.   I was embarrassed that everyone at the table heard that I was not qualified to teach at her school even though I have my teaching certificate, and I was shocked that a leader like herself would publicly degrade a person. 

The assignments this week helped me recognize my perception as well as others regarding discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes.  Today I called to reschedule a doctor’s appointment for my son, and it took nearly 30 minutes because the lady did not speak English well. My knowledge of microaggressions kicked in because I did not want to say anything to offend this lady.  I was very polite and very patient knowing that she must have felt embarrassed that she could not understand my spelling of my son’s name.   This week I realized that sometimes we do not think before we speak, and these words can really have lasting effects on a person.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

 

I asked three different people about what their definition of diversity and culture is.  I asked two of my best friends, Betty and Courtney.  Betty is a first generational immigrant from Cuba.  She came to our country when she was a freshman in high school.  She is currently in dental school.  My friend Courtney has been a missionary to Africa, China, and Peru.  I think that both of the ladies offer a great first hand insight into culture and diversity.  I also asked my step-son, Jonathon who is 14 years old.  Since he is a military brat living in South Korea, I wanted to know what he would have to say.  Below you will find the responses from each individual.

Betty: 

                       

Culture: traditions, language, festivities, beliefs, typical foods, etc, passed down from generation to generation which get incorporated into the popular knowledge and define one's upbringing. It is different for people of different countries, and even different regions within a country (subcultures). Culture brings people together by focusing on their similarities.

     Diversity: A person's different special set of qualities, talents, set of beliefs, culture, language, values, morals, etc., which makes them unique and different from anyone else. Diversity can be a great addition in any group of people (classroom, workplace, etc) if appreciated; or it can be the cause of segregation when discouraged.

Courtney:    

  

     Culture:   the belief system and way of communication for individual ethnic groups. Culture is something

that is learned. As babes we are helpless and have no identification of any certain culture, but then we are

introduced to  language and a system of looking at the world. If culture is learned it must also be taught.

     Diversity:   This is when you have many people from many different cultures. Canada is an example of

this, and we have lots of diversity because of the different people from different cultures.

Jonathon:  

    

     The difference between Culture and Diversity is that culture is a whole, while diversity is individual.

Culture is when you have a group of people that share customs and beliefs, they don't have to be tied by

blood necessarily.  Culture and diversity are very similar.

While reflecting on each individual’s answers, I see that each person has a grip on what surface culture is.  Betty stated that culture includes the language, beliefs, and traditions of people.  Derman-Sparks (2010) also stated something similar but included artifacts, and holidays.  Courtney also said that culture is learned.  By the preschool age, children have begun to absorb and learn the culture around them (Derman-Sparks, 2010). Each person brought up at least one point that was mentioned in our class this week.

  On the contrary, I believe each person omitted deep culture.  Language was mentioned by Betty which is a part of deep culture.    Ideas about education, showing emotion, values, relationships, role of children are also a part of deep culture (Derman-Sparks, 2010). I was surprised that Betty and Courtney did not mention the way we dress and act or anything of deep culture because they have lived abroad.  Culture is truly unconscious (Gonzalez-Mena, 2008).

  This assignment helped me reflect on my personal belief of what culture and diversity is.  I have to say that my personal definition of each term would be similar to Betty’s.  She really captured a lot of what we have talked about in class.  Since she is a first generational immigrant, I knew that she would have a better grasp on these terms than anyone.  This assignment helped me appreciate my own culture as well as appreciate how diverse we are as individuals.

References:

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and

 ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2008). Diversity in Early Care and Education (5th ed., pp. 8–13). Boston, MA:

McGraw Hill.

My Family Culture

If a major catastrophe struck the United States of America, I would take my wedding band, my photo box, and my camera.  I would take my wedding band from my first marriage because this is something that I plan to give my son one day.  His father was killed in combat in Iraq five years ago, and I know that my son will want to hold onto this ring when he is older.  His dad saved up all his money from boot camp to buy this ring, and he may even want to give this to his future wife as well.  I also have a photo box which I have many photos of all my family, friends, and pets that I have ever had.  It is a shoe box that I have decorated with cloth, and I have had it for over 10 years.  Every now and then, I love to open this box up and take a trip down memory lane.  I also chose to take a camera because this camera will allow me to capture our new beginning. I think it would be easy to explain the sentimental value of each of these items to another person, and I would explain it exactly the way I did a moment ago.  I would most likely get emotional though as I try to explain some of my photos.

If I was told upon arrival that I could only keep one personal item, it would be my camera.  I would be devastated and shed a few tears about leaving the other items behind, but I would be ok.  Now, I will not have anything of my past with me in this foreign land.  On the other hand, I did choose to keep my camera because this would be a fresh start for all of us, and I have to start over and capture new memories to cherish. 

I enjoyed this assignment and I found it to be very insightful.  I spent all week thinking about the three items that I would take.  This assignment required some deep personal reflection.  It was hard to think of just three items, and it was hard to think about how real this situation could be.  When I think back on the items that I chose, I believe that my photo box is what has captured my culture and diversity.  I did enjoy this blog assignment.