Microaggressions

Throughout my studies this week my eyes have definitely opened to microaggressions that I have either experienced or witnessed throughout my lifetime. One in particular that still bothers me to this day was an experience with a former Hispanic parent during my tenure as a Parent Liaison. The parent was excluded from running for a PTA officer position just because she did not speak English fluently. The administration felt that she would have a hard time communicating with others and immediately diminished her from running. She felt sad and embarrassed, even expressing to me that she frequently felt discounted or less intelligent because of her English. I felt so bad for the parent that I ended up collaborating with her to create a group for Hispanic parents within the PTA. These parents served other Hispanics throughout the school and community to assist with inclusion efforts and expanding cultural partnerships in the school. The parents had awesome ideas for events and workshops for Hispanic parents and families. They worked closely with the PTA for every event and provided translators. In the end, the administration supported these efforts and eventually became more welcoming to Hispanics and their families. This was important because the school population was composed of mostly Hispanics.

With the information I have retained this week, I now know that microaggressions are their own sector of prejudice and can be either intentional or unintentional. In the end, hate is hate, and causing anyone to feel uncomfortable because of who they are is unjust and inhumane.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Friend Perspective...

What is culture?
Culture is, in essence, who you are. Its the language you speak, clothes you wear, religion you practice, and so forth. Some people can't really explain what their culture is or a group they belong to, but I think that's because they are not in touch with who they are just yet.

What is diversity?
Diversity to me is what makes us different. I'm mixed but you're fully black, therefore we're diverse in that sense.

Co-Worker Perspective...

What is culture?
Its a combination of your heritage and morals. A balance between what you think is right and what you've been taught is right.

What is diversity?
The differences in people, which could be anything. We all are different in some way, and that's what makes us unique.

Parent Perspective...

What is Culture?
Culture can be anything that has an influence on your life...and it's different for all people. So, i'm Jewish and I consider that to be apart of my culture. Whereas someone else may not let their religion define who they are, so that wouldn't be considered apart of their culture. It varies from person to person.

What is diversity?
The differences between groups of people, that set us apart from one another.

I have learned that the definition of culture and diversity vary from person to person. This is because every person has different ideas and opinions on what makes them unique or "who they are" as a person. Ultimately, culture is the unspoken set of rules that govern our lives, which I learned this week. My parent here at the center has deepened my understanding of culture and diversity. Her notion that people may not credit certain parts of them to their culture helps me to understand why everyone's perspectives are so different.

My Family Culture

The three items I would take with me are family photos, my grandmother's purse, and my nameplate necklace. Family photos are very important to me and I know that wherever life takes me I can always look back on those photos as a reminder of who I am. My grandmother's purse has been kept in my family for years after her passing. We tend to keep important family heirlooms and documents in this purse, and we consider it to be a very important piece of her memory in our family. This would help me remember how my mother kept up with the bag for so long and how much it meant to us. Lastly, my nameplate necklace was given to me by my mother a few Christmases ago. It symbolizes that not only did she give me an important piece of jewelery, she also gave me my name, which is a huge part of my culture and who I am as a person.

If I were to have to give up two of the items, I would feel very sad and would want to keep all of these items as close to me as possible. However, I feel that I could live with just keeping my grandmother's purse with me upon arrival.

I have learned that I have much more value over myself and my culture than I thought. Also, I now know that much of who I am today stems from my family and how loving they are. They have shaped me into the loving, compassionate, and caring person that I am today!