MICRO-AGGRESSIONS

Microaggression is any verbal behavior that causes marginalization whether intended or unintended in everyday situations that cause indignities, invalidations, and harm to others (Laureate, 2010).

For this week's assignment we are to recall a time when we were faced with microaggression. I remember shopping in a department store not too long ago. It was midweek and there were many housevies and middle aged women shopping (from what I could see). However, everywhere I turned and every time I looked up, I saw the 'house' detective. What is funny is that she didn't remember me from 20 years prior when I also worked for that store. She was hired around the same time I was hired as a clerk.
At first I just laughed within myself that she hadn't remembered me. But more than an hour later she was still following me. I finally stopped and stared at her until she realized that I had noticed her. She disappeared silently. 

I felt as if I was singled out in the store as I was the only woman not of the dominant culture shopping. In this case I was insulted for two reasons, she didn't recognize me as a former co-worker and she singled me out as a potential shop-lifter. This micro-aggression in my case was microinsult.
Stereotyping individuals may harm them causing microinsult and microassault. We must try to understand and get to know people as individuals with their own attributes and characteristics.
 Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions [DVD]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Culture and Diversity

I emailed 2 friends (who are college professors), and a pastor (who is Hispanic) asking them to define culture and diversity for my class assignment. These are the replies I received.

Camacho -

Culture =The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought.  

Diversity = The fact or qualities of being differ; difference. Perspective on diversity = The difference of the culture would be in language, word meanings, clothes, foods, and/or skin tones.

Baldwin -    

Culture is the ideals and values and views that are based on a political, social, economic, enviroment that are associated with distinct group

Diversity is the many different thoughts and cultures that different ethic groups bring

Ryan -

Culture is the way a specific ethnic group acts because of certain beliefs.

Diversity is various views and beliefs of different groups of people.

I believe that my friends and associate have touched the surface of these definitions. In our week 3 lesson we have understood that those things that form our total identities are not always seen and includes all aspects of our lives. These answers are vague and general (in my opinion), compared to what has been presented on the lesson.  

CULTURE SHOCK

This blog continues for the MSEC program that I am matriculating through. This course concentrates on diversity and equity. This exercise requires us to list three items we would take with us if we were unexpectedly required to move to another country that has a different culture than my own.

Three items I would choose that connects me to my family’s culture are:

1.       The Holy Bible (KJV) – My Parents raised us according to the way they interpreted the text of the Bible. My parents, siblings, and I strive to live by this book every day of our lives. As early as I can remember, we were encouraged and instructed from the writings of this book. My first reading experiences were from this book. My career is centered around studying, interpreting, and making presentations from this book and the same goes for 4 out of 5 of the children that were blessed to my parents.

This book would be the one thing I would hold on to if I could only have one item. I cannot imagine life without being able to open this book daily and read or study verses from the pages.  The other items I can live without (in a different culture). However, no matter where I am I can take, use, read, study, memorize, and apply this book to my life.

2.       My lap top and charger – This is chosen because most of my life is spent somehow using the computer. I am connected with my family through my laptop by email, Skype, and social networking.

Most of my work is on my hard drive and backed up. Most of my work is through, in, or around the church where my father is pastor and my siblings are a part of the ministry in different facets.  So even if we are separated I can maintain memories of our culture.

I keep pictures of my family, family and church events on my lap top. Even if I forget food items, I have pictures of food from our family gatherings.

3.       My cell phone and charger– If there are cell towers I suppose I can stay in touch with my family via the phone.  I have a sister I call every Sunday morning that lives in another state. I have another sister that lives 2 hours away. We talk often. Text messaging is quick and easy ways to keep in touch with my parents and siblings. However, it is my siblings’ children that text more often. My nieces and nephews love Aunt Jayme.

Two out of the three items I chose appear to be solely materialistic. However, these items connect me to my family’s culture more than anything I can think of now. I am also assuming there is electricity and cell towers where I would be relocated. I realize that my family is mainstream when it comes to technology. It seems we all upgrade to the trends. My father at 72 is a gadget man; bought the I-Pad before any of us had one. Now he carries it around as he used to carry his Bible. My Mom however, is still having trouble with the cell phone.   

When I travel for more than 4 or 5 days I start craving fried chicken, collard greens, and corn bread and holidays I must have sweet potato pie and German chocolate cake. I was thinking maybe I should be taking an African American cookbook. However, I can add that on my lap top.