Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Microaggression is when someone makes a comment or assumption about someone based on their race, gender, class, etc.

I have witnessed microaggression several times in my life. I have experienced microaggression a lot of times when I call people on the phone. During this past school year I received a new student late in the year. I called his mother to express some concerns I had about his grades from the other school. The next day the mother came to the school to talk to me. When she came she couldn't remember who called her house so she told the office staff a white woman had called her. They assumed it was the speech therapist who is white. When she spoke to the speech therapist, she found out that it was not her that called her. The parent could not speak to me at the time, because I was in a meeting. The parent then came back the next day. When she walked in my room the next morning she said "Girl, I thought you was a white women when you called me."

This is an example of microaggression because she felt that as a black woman I was not suppose to speak proper English. I did not feel bad about it because this is a problem I have dealt with before. People have told me that I sound white. I really don't understand this because in my family we are encouraged to speak with proper English and not slang. I also feel that as a teacher I should speak proper English.  I realize that everyone has microaggressions. I know that when a person exhibits a microaggression they don't mean to be offensive. Educating people to know when they are exhibiting microaggressions is the first step in stopping them.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

For EDUC 6164 I was told to ask three friends or family members what their definition of diversity and culture are. I asked my father, Uncle Eric, and Aunt Jackie.

Father:  Culture- The language, music, up bring, and work of a particular people.

              Diversity- the differences within people

Uncle Eric: Culture- deals with the way a person is brought up and what they learn

        Diversity- not having the same background

Aunt Jackie: Culture- an individual way of doing things, religion

     Diversity- different ways that races do things

After talking to my family and friends I realized that everyone feels that culture is the way a person is raised. No one really got into details about the specifics. Through the Lacerate Education videos in class I learned that race, ethnicity, language, religion, ability, class, parenting pattern, and life style also play an important part in one’s culture.  I know they understand what culture is because in order to define it they had to give examples as it related to them and what their culture is. They did the same with diversity.  I don’t think that anyone included class as a part of culture. People don’t remember that your social class plays a part in how you are raised.   Listening to my family’s definition of culture made me realize that I was lucky to be raised in such an environment where culture and diversity is recognized and respected. Being accepting of who people are is an important aspect of the culture in which I was raised.

References

Laureate Education Inc. (2011) “Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions” (Video Webcast). Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5364616&Survey=1&47=8004829&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

My Family Culture

If there was a catastrophe in my home country and My family and I were forced to relocate I would be devastated. Then I find out that I could only take three items with me. The first item that I would choose would be my patchwork quilt. This quilt is very special to me. My grandmother hand made this quilt. She put pieces of clothing and things that meant something to someone in our family. The second item I would take would be a baby bassinet crib. This bassinet has been handed down for generations. My husband slept in this bassinet and so did our son. The third item I would bring is my language. My father's family is from "Cajun country." They know how to speak Cajun french. I feel that even though we'd be going to another country this would be important to carry with us.
I want others in this new country to understand that staying together with my family is one of the most important things. All of these items mean so much to me because I want to feel close to where I came from and what I know.
Unfortunately when we arrive in the new country I am told that I can only keep one of the items that I brought. I know I would keep my quilt. I think that it means the most. The quilt holds pieces of different family members and represents who we are. I can also keep my language. The new country could not take that from me. I will be able to teach my children and they can teach their children.
After doing this exercise I realized that all parts of my family are important to who I am. When I was thinking of things to take I couldn't just look at my mother's side or my father's side or even just my side of the family. I know that I am made up of so many more things then I originally thought and it makes me happy.