Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

 

I was in the nail salon and my son, who is within the autism spectrum, dropped a piece of paper on the floor from his lollipop.  An European American woman looked at me and said in a condescending way that there was paper on the floor.  I asked my oldest child for help to pick up the paper.  While the woman was leaving, she made another comment about the paper on the floor.

 

When my four African American children entered the nail salon, the European American woman did not have a pleasing expression on her face.  She behaved as though my children were automatically going to disrespect the nail salon by leaving trash everywhere.  Her tone and words were very condescending.  Since my son, which is within the autism spectrum does not look like he has unique needs, it is easy to misunderstand what he says and how he behaves.  At times, he will behave like he is a younger child.

 

The European American woman made me very angry.  Her demeanor was as if African American children do not understand how to behave in public places and do not clean up after themselves.  My children were viewed as if they were going to disrespect the nail salon property due to the size of the family and ethnic background.  The European American was so concerned that my children would disrespect the property, that she disrespected my family with her degrading comment.

 

 

"It takes a village to raise a child." -African Proverb-

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I have received definitions people in their 60's and 30's both male and female. 
The first person shared with me that their definition of culture is the beliefs and historical views as to how to live.  It is how you choose to live with your family.  It consists of family customs and values.  Their definition of diversity is all inclusive which encompasses everyone and everybody.

The next person I spoke to defined culture as habits, beliefs and lifestyle of people.  They defined diversity as difference among the group and a large group of people that have differences.

The last person I asked about their definition of culture is family values, ancestry, traditions, families doing things for each other.  It also deals with food and living life everyday.  It deals with how you worship/religion and passing down traditions from one generation to the next.  Diversity was defined as mixture of people and different ethnic backgrounds.  It deals with a mixture of people with various background which are not in the same family or culture.

Many of the answers I received for the definition of culture explained how they are unconscious rules that govern everything we do.  None of the people I spoke to referred to the way men and women fit in culture (Gonzalez-Mena, 2008).  The definitions did include how culture relates everything we do.  I did not recall anyone mentioning parenting patterns in their definition of culture.  All the definitions explain how complex culture is to define (Laureate Education, Inc., 2007).

When speaking about diversity, it was agreed upon that it means difference and even difference within the same culture.  They did not imply prejudice or inferior ways of thinking when speaking on diversity.  The definitions of diversity explained to me a positive way of accepting no one is the same (Laureate Education, Inc., 2007).
 
After listening to the definition received from the persons I interviewed, I realized that culture is seen as a part of who you are and what you do everyday.  I was excited to hear no negativity within their definitions.  I have learned that some members of society may see culture in a negative light.  It was nice to experience generation variance and gender differences explain culture and diversity.  It helped me re-examine how society views culture and diversity in order to determine where society stands in these areas.

References

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2008). Diversity in Early Care and Education. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2007). [DVD]. Family Cultures, Dynamics Interactions. Baltimore, MD:  Author.



"It takes a village to raise a child." -African Proverb-

My Family Culture

The three items I would bring with me are my wedding album, my beanie baby which has "mom" sewn on it and a framed picture of my family.

 

 

I would bring my wedding album which has pictures of my side of the family and my husband's side of the family.  My kids would be able to see their family: aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents.

The beanie baby is the first item I received from my mom when I brought my oldest son home from the hospital.

The framed picture of my family is important to me.  When I look at the picture, it reminds me of all the things we made it through as a family.  It is amazing how fast children grow and how the picture captures the most special moment in my life.

I would be extremely hurt and angry if I found out I could only keep one item.  It was tough enough leaving my home and everything behind except three items.  It took time to decide which items would come with me.  Now, I no longer can keep my three items which I chose in order to help my children stay connected with their family.  The wedding album reflects my celebration of love with my family and friends.  The beanie baby with "mom" sewn on it is very special due to the fact my mother gave it to me where I first became a mother.  The day I brought my son home from the hospital, the baby room was made up and the beanie baby bear was waiting for me in my room.  The framed picture of my family reminds me of the happy times we shared.  It would give my family hope that better times are in our future.  It would feel like the hope and promise for happier times are taken away when I am forced to keep one of three special items I chose.

I have learned that if a person is forced to let go of their culture, they are not happy.  The person may not reach their full potential due being made to feel it is wrong to be who they are.  Culture is a part of the person.  It can not be separated.  It is not possible to leave your culture behind due to the fact it is a part of you.  I found it very difficult to chose three items from my culture to be immersed in a culture which is completely opposite of mine.  It is difficult to think about how I would make sure my children understood their background and knew their family.

It must be very difficult to let go of your culture in order to submerge yourself in another culture which is completely opposite of your culture.  I would feel lost and very sad.  I would feel like I could do nothing right and who I am is a mistake which needs to change.



"It takes a village to raise a child." -African Proverb-