Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

One example of a microaggression which happen that I detected happen on Tuesday night during one of our Women of Grace Ministry meetings. At the end of each meeting we have two ladies that will do the departing prayer for the night. This one lady who did the prayer seems to always be unhappy and mean every time we meet. So, to make a long story short; we all stood up and gathered hand. She began to pray. During one of her statements she said " Lord I just ask you to let our "boys be boys". This really made me sad. One of the ladies in our ministry once told me a story about her son experiencing a situation. So I know if I felt bad, so did she. I was automatically tuned out from her prayer. Some people just need to watch what they say, whether it is intentional or unintentionally.

I observation experience this week has taught me a lot. For one thing don not judge anybody. Two learn not to label or give stereotypes to anyone. And three, try not to form any bias or prejudice against anybody. My motto is treat others the way we want to be treated. Believing in this I feel will help in making our lives easier in learning to get along and work together.    

                        Perspectives on Diversity and Culture


This weeks blog assignment asked us to call, write to , or talk to at least three friends, family members, acquaintances, and/or colleagues. Include at least one person who believe in some ways culturally different from you ( a different gender, race, class, religion, abilities, age, etc.).

Friend- White- American Female 

What is your definition of culture? I think culture has to do with traditions based on one's beliefs and morals.

What is your definition of diversity? Diversity are beliefs and traditions that may be a little different or add to our culture. Like we have an "American" culture, which is the basic foundation. Diversity creates uniqueness but all have basic beliefs....... these are my thoughts.

Family Member- African -American Female

What is your definition of Culture? Culture is more focused on your roots and where you come from. For example, we as African American's are a culture. People within a culture tend to believe in the same things and practice pretty much the same practices.

What is your definition of diversity? Diversity, in my opinion is how we are all different. There are so many different cultures/ races in the world today, but we all remain different. Whether it's our religious beliefs of food eaten, clothes worn, etc., it's all about differences. This is where the two words cultural diversity comes together. We learn of differences within particular groups/races when we speak of cultural diversity.

Colleague- African-American Special Education teacher

What is your definition of Culture? Culture is a groups way of life. Culture would be characteristics and the way a group speak of people, their religion, morals and thinking.

What is your definition of diversity? Diversity is being different.

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

When early childhood educators think about culture, they think about the surface things that are easy to see, taste, and define ( Derman-Sparks& Edwards, 2010). The aspects that we have studied over the last three weeks that were include in most of the answers were traditions, beliefs, and the food we eat. But I have learned that culture is more than the color of your skin, but also what is referred to as "deep culture", which includes tradition, beliefs, values we use in our families. 

Which aspects have been omitted- and what are some examples of such omission.

Over the last three weeks our readings and the video segments discussed many aspects of culture, for example, family culture, surface culture, social identity, power within cultures. All answers were basically how they perceive culture and diversity to mean to them. There was no mention as to help children to understand that there are differences in people from different cultures as well as their are some similarities.

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

I have learned and absorb so much knowledge and information about culture and diversity over these three weeks of this course. I am quite sure I will learn more information that as an professional in the field of early childhood the knowledge that I obtain concerning different cultures in which people belong, and diversity will help me in the classroom with all of my students who have different backgrounds other than mine.

Reference
Course media: Culture and Diversity (2011). Laureate Inc.
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young
     children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.

My Family Culture

Black American families have so many values, beliefs and ways of doing things within their culture. Most families within this culture are so close that if a major catastrophe was to take over the country, I am sure that this would be very devastating for me especially of having to leave my family members.  On top of having to leave my family, I am told that I could only take one change of clothing, and three items that I hold dear and that represent my family culture.  It would be so hard just to choose three items, but they would be My family album which contains all of the happy times together, My Bible, which will help me to keep my faith, and a blanket, which means so much to me.

                  A description of the three items I would choose

The first item, my family album. In black families there is a strong family and kinship bond. We also have a very supportive system in which we try to help each other through the good and bad times in life. Taking this item with me will help in maintaining this support through this terrible ordeal . My bible which I hold so dear and it is the one piece of reliable source that I feel will help me to get through  the times of missing my family. The last item is a red and green blanket that was given to me. The smell of my family will help in keeping me with that special touch and feeling that they are there with me in spirit, but not in body.

            How would I explain to others what each of these items mean to me.

  I would explain that these items are very special to me, because  having these items will help to make it through these times of being away from my family. The family album will keep my memory intact of those who are so dear and mean so much to me. It would represent an amazing testament of  my family history from generation to generation. The things we did together, our behaviors, our beliefs, and our values  that were part of our culture is represented ( Louise Dermman-Sparks,2011). 

My Bible, which  contains all births and dates of special events. We have a strong religious orientation, and we also as a culture believe that our faith is what keeps us strong through hard and trying times. 

My green and red blanket, is a very special piece. It has been in my family for 20 years. It was given to me by a special friend. Every member of my family has in some sort of way used it to cover themselves when they visit. This blanket is a security piece for me, to keep me warm and familiar with all of my family, through the smell and touch of having it with me.

My feelings if, upon arrival, I was told that I could only keep one personal item and give up the other two items.

WOW! This would have a very devastating effect. But I also have to keep in mind of others feelings as well. I would have to keep those items that I leave behind as part of memory and still find a way to keep them near and dear to my heart. But, I would have to keep my Bible. As I stated black families as a part of tradition, and beliefs, have a strong religious orientation.  Also my Bible contains a lot of memories that are written down from special events and happy times. I feel this would help me to stay strong until I can get back to my family.

Any insights, I gained about my self, my family culture, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise

In different cultures different groups hold on to different things because of their cultural backgrounds. This exercise has been some what of an eye opener for me, What if this really happens in society? How can I deal with this type of situation? We have to be aware of and respect for differences in others as well as a respect for their cultures; having a understanding of their values, beliefs, traditions, norms is an important component of this understanding. However, when it comes to who we are as a family and how we define family there are many forms in each culture,  family members are bound by ties of blood, marriage, adoption, or by any sexually expressive relationship (Harris, 2008). They may live together or not, the important point is when that bond is broken by any means, it will leave a profound effect.

Resources
Laureate Education (2011). " Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions"

Harris, S.R. ( 2008). What is Family Diversity? Objective and Interpretive 
     Approaches. Journal of Family Issues. Retrieved from http://jfi.sagepub.com/