Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

One form of Microaggression that I have witnessed was when two of my coworkers were discusses another coworker at work last week. 

Coworker 1: Ms. Tina told me I was gaining weight today.

Coworker 2: What? Why would she think that was ok to say?

Coworker 1: You know how those Philippine women think.

Coworker 2: I’m Philippine

Coworker 1: Well not you act like you are from here.

Coworker 2: I am from here.

Coworker 1: I’m sorry you know what I meant.

The conversation ended when coworker 2 knotted her head, smiled and turned around to work on her computer. 

When coworker 1 brought up the scenario at first I understood what she was talking about I had a similar situation with that coworker and agreed with coworker 2 when she said “What? Why would she think that was ok to say?” But once coworker number 1 brought up race I felt uncomfortable and just kept feeling more uncomfortable as the situation went on. I also felt really bad for coworker 2 because unintentionally coworker 1 used a microinvalidation about her culture and I could tell she felt hurt. 

This week, observing other I can see that discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people still exist. Dr. Sue said in the video that racism is was taking a new form and unfortunately I would have to agree with him. I see it through microinsults and microinvalidations.

Resources:

“Microaggressions in Everyday Life” 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

INTERVIEWS:

Jon:

Culture: “Culture is a persons ethnic history and background.”

Diversity: “Diversity is differences with an individual.”

Maggie:

Culture: “Culture is one’s way of life that characterizes people into a certain culture. Culture may be someone’s religion, beliefs, practices, or way of thinking.”

Diversity: “Diversity includes different beliefs, cultures, religions, ethnicities, or anything that makes people different from one another.”

Amos:

Culture: “Culture is the way different groups of people practice customs that dictate or govern their daily lives.”

Diversity: “Diversity is the differences that exist among human beings and they range from religion, color, cultural beliefs and practices, socio economic status, education and nationality.” 

Lani:

Culture: “Culture is how someone was raised. Their traditions, practices, beliefs, religion, and ways they handle situations.

Diversity: “Diversity is a combination of different cultural groups.”

Matthew:

Culture: “A person or peoples beliefs, traditions, and norms. Including language, religion, foods, laws, etc.

Diversity: “Being mixed with a lot of variety in one area or group.”

Stefanie:

Culture: “Culture is part of one’s identity. A person’s culture can be their peer group, religion, political view, customs, etc. Culture helps people identify where they fit into the world.”

Diversity: “Diversity is the array of differences amongst people, race, religion, age, etc.”

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

Many of the people I interviewed definitions of culture go along with what I have learned in this class. Culture is complex and many elements make up a persons culture. Some of them also saw that diversity and culture go hand and hand.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

Some of the people I interviewed saw diversity as mixture of races and or cultures. This has not been included in our class.

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

Interviewing others I see that the topics are difficult for people to answer and that some of them almost felt uncomfortable. I think these are important topics that need to be addressed. Culture and diversity are things to embrace. 

My Family Culture

My three items that I would bring with me to the new country would be:

1. Some form of music, hopefully I would have a plug in and would bring my ipod. I would tell others that music is not only relaxing and comforting to me but does remind me of my family. My older sisters and I have our certain songs that every time we hear them we call each other and sing them. When we are all together we sing and dance for fun. Its essential that I have some form of music to listen to. 
2. The second thing I would bring is a blanket that my great aunt made me. I take it everywhere with me and everyone in my family has one and mine is as special to me as the rest of my families ones are to them.
3. The third item would be a notebook. It would be a place to write my thoughts, sketch, etc. I come from a very artistic family. My sisters and I all draw and paint. Our parents house is only decorated with our artwork. I notebook would be a place for me to express myself and makes me think my family. 

If I was told I could only have one of my items I would be ok. I would select to bring my blanket. I can find other things to draw on and new forms of music in the country. 

This exercise has shown me that I am not very connect to any material things. It was difficult for me to come up with a list of three items. I do not have family heirlooms other then my blanket. I have moved around a lot in the passed six years that I have disconnected myself from items. Whats important to me is who I am with and how I spend my time. Its the things I do that trigger memories and are my traditions.