Practicing Awareness of Microaggression

This week after learning what microaggression was I started to be more aware about the world around me.  I was watching a movie on how a man could trade places and become the other person.  There was a brief encounter with an African American male who was presented as angry, argumentative, abrasive and forceful.  The Caucasian man who could switch places was scared of the man.  The day when he could replace the other person, he became an African American man and presented himself as angry and forceful to get something from a Caucasian man.  The Caucasian man gave the African American what he wanted.  The man who could switch places was shocked that this worked. 

I was unfortunately not shocked by the portrayal but sadden to see that even on television this is how African American males are viewed.  Often this is the case of how African American males are seen in the world.  Being a mother of two boys that are African Americans has me worrying about how they will be viewed or treated in this world.   As a parent I try to stay optimistic that my children will be viewed as young men who can do great things in this world.  I do not want them to be stereotyped as what the media or others think of African American males.  Watching the multimedia segment Microaggressions in everyday life I learned that according to Dr. Derald Wing Sue, microaggressions are “brief everyday indignities which may be verbal, behaviors or environmental” (Laureate, 2011).  I know that after I viewed the video I am much more aware of what I say and do can affect others.  I hope that more people in the world will also be educated on microaggressions and how they can affect people in life whether it is unintentional or not.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

To find out about others perspectives on diversity and culture I interviewed three people.  I interviewed a seventeen year old African American boy, a 41 year old African American man and a 35 year old African American and Pilipino woman.  I spoke with three people that I thought were a little different than myself.  When I asked all three about what culture meant to them they provided similar definitions. The teenager named Mo, defined culture as “the stuff people did and lived by like traditions” (personal communication, March 20, 2015). The 41 year old man, Dominic defined culture as “the environment or surroundings that your parents grew up with then pass on to their children such as traditions” (personal communication, March 20, 2015).  Lastly, the 35 year old woman, Dariah defined culture as “peoples beliefs or backgrounds such as religion and traditions” (personal communication, March, 20, 2015).  All three had similar definitions of culture which included traditions.  In the multimedia segment, Family cultures: Dynamic interactions, according to Louis Derman-Sparks, “family culture are their beliefs, goals for their children and parenting (Laureate Education, 2011).

            I also asked for their definition of diversity.  Mo, defined diversity as “being excepting of different cultures, religions, and ethnicity” (personal communication, March, 20, 2015). Dominic, defined diversity as “an accumulation of people and cultures existing in one environment” (personal communication, March, 20, 2015).  Lastly, Dariah defined diversity as “a mixture of different cultures, beliefs, genders and nationalities” (personal communication, March 20, 2015).  All three believed that diversity included many cultures.  Two believed that diversity included different beliefs including nationality or ethnicity.  According to Harris (2008) … “one could identify diverse families via categories of race or ethnicity, region or nationality, class, sexual orientation, or religion” (p. 1411).

            In the multimedia segment, Family cultures: Dynamic interactions, Louise Derman-Sparks defined culture in two categories to include family and dominate culture.  She defined dominate culture as a cultural group where political and economics help determine the way of the world.  Dominate culture decides who has the power based on areas such as class and ethnicity (Laureate Education, 2011).  The individuals I interviewed mentioned family cultures however, dominate culture was omitted from their definition.  When I interviewed Dariah she provided the most diverse examples of growing up in two cultures due to being both African American and Pilipino.  She shared how growing up in Pilipino with a catholic background prevented her to date.  This changed however, when she moved to America at age sixteen.  She was in “culture shock” when she saw boys and girls dancing close to one another at a school dance.  This was not allowed in the Philippines. 

Dariah shared that she was raised by her grandmother in the Philippines following the Pilipino culture.  When she came to America to live with her mother at sixteen she wanted to learn more about African Americans.  Dariah said this was important to her because she felt disconnected from her African American culture.  She chose to go to a predominately black college in order to learn more about African Americans.  Dariah had entered a dominate culture of predominately African American students.  She shared a story about her roommate who had really long hair and one day she saw her remove her hair and was shocked.  Her roommate shared that she was wearing “tracks”, hair extensions.  Dariah stated that she thought her roommate would be offended by her response, however, she entertained Dariah by providing an explanation about African American hair.  Dariah shared that even though she went to a school that was predominately black she felt like she never really fit in (personal conversation, March 20, 2015).  According to Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010) “children experience cultural discontinuity, especially if the program considers its way “right” and others’ “wrong” (p. 59).  From my conversation with Dariah I realized that she experienced cultural discontinuity between her African American ethnic group.  She realized she was different because she was half Pilipino and African American, however, longed to also fit in with African Americans.  She was aware that her upbringing in the Philippines was very different than what she was experiencing in American.   

            In conclusion, I learned that everyone has their own definition of what culture and diversity mean to them.  I saw how even thought their definition may have been a little different they still shared some commonalities.  I was reminded how even in our own culture we can sometimes be seen as outsiders.  Sometimes our experiences mold how we feel about what words mean.  The teenager Mo, also reminded me that it is never too early to teach the younger generation about the importance of acceptance of others no matter their beliefs or definition of culture and diversity.

My Family Culture

Blog Assignment: My Family Culture

 

In the event of a devastating catastrophe that would cause my family to relocate I would be grateful for our survival.  Understanding that I am going to a new host country that may be very different than my won makes me excited and nervous at the same time.  My excitement comes from my military background of always being ready to move to a new area or country at a moment’s notice.  Understanding that I would only be allowed to bring on set of clothing and three small items that I hold important would be: family photos, music, and a bible. 

            Family is something that I hold close to my heart.  I love looking at old and new photos with the opportunity to reflect on experiences and how things have changed.  I enjoy having photos of my immediate and extended family.  I enjoy having the opportunity to see them and what they are doing.  Secondly I would bring music either from CD’s or a musical instrument.  Growing up and throughout my marriage I continue to be surrounded by music.  Music often is used to support however I am feeling or the situation.  I would also bring a bible.  My family has always leaned on faith throughout our lives.  I know that even if I end up in a place where I do not understand the language I will have my faith to rely on.  I can have my bible to read scriptures to provide support as well as prayers. 

 

            If I was told upon my arrival that I could only keep one of the three personal items I would be unhappy.  Putting my feelings aside I would chose to keep my family photo album.  As I mentioned earlier family is very important to me.  Having the photo album allows me to stay close with family members who are not with me.  I can remember the time we all spent together.  Upon the completion of this assignment I gained insight of how much I value family.  I also realized that I would be open to experiencing a new country.  I feel that I have had experiences in diversity from being a child and wife of a military personal.  I am a little fearful of not understating the language or ways of the culture.  I would enter with the openness and willingness to learn.