Practicing Awareness of Microaggression

While talking to one of my colleague during a general conversation she made the statement “why do they always have to wear their pants down like that” referring to a group of African American boys standing in a group talking. My first response to her was “what do you mean by that” and she stated “you know, why they have their pants pulled down like that. The statement offended me because she was insinuating that all African American boys wear their pants down. I felt as in the assumption or remark was made based on the group of boys that she saw before her.

Even though the observation experience did not happen this week, the information that I obtained made me remember the conversation that had occurred with one of my colleague. Discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes of people is a form of microaggression that occurs on a daily bases in one form or another. The remarks are made in a way that does not seem to be intentionally.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

The three individuals that I contacted in reference to their opinion or definition of culture and diversity were that of a friend, family member, and colleague. Each of them views culture as the way of life and traditions and diversity meaning to be different. According to Tayler, culture rules their behavior, beliefs, values and their goals (2010).  For an example some people celebrate the Christmas holidays while other culture or religion does not. One of my friends that I talked with has a strong conviction about not celebrating the holidays because of their religious belief. Their way of culture shape who they are and what they believe in.

Reflecting on others opinion about culture and diversity has given me a clear understanding that each individual or group is different based on their culture and what they believe in. I also understand that each individual or group culture is just as important as the next.

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer).(n.d.). Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions [Video webcast].

My Family Culture

Three items I would choose:

• Bible: I would take my Bible because I was raised in a Christian family and if I were in a foreign country where things were different, I would defnitely need God on my side.
• Computer: I would take my computer so that I would be able to connect to family and to be able to keep up with what is going on in ther world.
• Pictures: I would take pictures of my family so that I can remember the good times.

What the items mean:
Each of the items represent a piece of my family. The Bible represents my religious upbringing, pictures represent the good times that I shared with my family, and the computer will help me to keep in touch with family.

My feelings if I were told I could only take one item:
I would be devestated if I had to choose only one item because each item connects me to my family in some form of fashion. Losing contact with family would make me feel as though I am losing myself.

Completing the assignment:
After completing this assignment, I realized that the other materialistic things in my life such as my house, car, and clothing do not mean as much to me as  my family. My family is the most valuable asset I have in my life.