Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

For this week’s topic of study we addressed the realizations of microaggression throughout our nation, and our local areas we personally reside in.  For every individual there are hidden bias.  These biases were established and formed from birth.  As a child is indeed just like a sponge, soaking up all the surrounding experiences and environments.  The culture a child is born in contributes to the views they adapt, for the most.  People can have the best intentions, but not realize how the hidden bias can affect their conversation or behaviors.  An example of microaggression that I observed, or a comment I personally made.  I was out of state on my honeymoon/family vacation and had my oldest 2 children at the pool.  This was a pool at a resort in Florida, there was indeed diversity amongst the people playing in the pool and enjoying the sun.  I was sitting at a table reading this week’s resources, as I watched my children swim.  There were several other tables and people sitting together.  There was a bee flying around the several tables.  I am very allergic to bees, to the point I am EpiPen dependent.  Due to the discovery of this allergy I went into anaphylactic shock, very scary.  As a mother and having my kids outside, I am constantly on edge because of this fear.  Nevertheless, as I was sitting there reading and watching my children.  The bee came to my table, I had my EpiPen, but still got up and quickly walked away from the bee.  The gentleman at the table swatted at the bee and was able to kill it.  He made a comment to the other 2 individuals sitting with him, “I didn’t want to kill it, but it was getting on my nervous.”  Personally grateful, I responded to him, “Thank you so much for killing the bee, I am EpiPen dependent and they make me very nervous.  I was close to running away, and y’all were getting ready to see how fast this white woman could run.”  Of course after
I said it, I immediately thought to myself, “Really!”  “Leslie you just read about this and observed a video referring to microaggressions.  The response from the individuals at the table beside me was indeed positive.  They laughed and conversation continued.  Maybe a form of breaking the ice, but still hidden biases was present.  The stereotype that black people can run faster than white people, apparently is ingrained to say.  Now reflecting back I am glad that my actions were not taken in a negative or rude manner, as indeed that was not my intentions.  I like to think of myself as an open-minded individual, but reality is we all are affected by the history of microaggressions of prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping.  Whether we are the target or whether we aim. 

            After reviewing all the remaining resources for this week and reflecting on the event of microaggression that I personally engaged in, I can see that everyone needs to reflect.  Even when you feel or believe that you accept everyone no matter the difference, our ingrain culture of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping exist.  Just as my actions, I have a diverse group of friends from all walks of life.  My biological family is diverse as well.  Never do I aim to point out differences in a negative way.  Perhaps my thoughts and comments are related to the facts I am aware of?  For example in my hometown, when I was in high school there was only 2 schools in our county.  From the encountering of those peers in sports events, the majority of speed were indeed of African Americans.  Speed from track and field, running backs in football, stealing bases in baseball, and the ability to bet most players at the net in basketball.  Therefore I could say that sometimes perceptions can be incorrect, it is not the over-all exact experience, but the facts of one’s population and culture.  Through this week’s experience and resources, I feel my awareness is indeed heighten.  I challenge everyone to evaluate their actions and behaviors to others that are different from you.  We also need to remember we have diversity for a reason, to create harmony together.  Utilizing skills and experiences individuals have to offer.  How boring if we all were the same. 

            A great source for any one to measure their unconscious bias is through the use of Implicit Association Test, IATs.  Personally I took one of the test related to race and I apparently have hidden bias that was discovered in the test.  From the example above apparently I indeed do.  Not that I have hate or ill-will for anyone, but the reality of how history impacts us allows for one to grow and change.  I challenge everyone to take these test and evaluate their hidden bias, so we can attempt to truly remain open-minded and accepting.  (Teaching Tolerance, n.d.)

Resource    

Teaching Tolerance. (n.d.). Test yourself for hidden bias. Retrieved May 25, 2011, from            http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias    

Defining Culture & Diversity

For this week’s assignment we were to ask 3 family/friends/coworkers/etc their definition of culture and diversity.  Each individual I asked ranged in difference, such as gender, socioeconomical status, and religion.  The 3 individuals responded as followed;

Aunt Jean- upper-class socioeconomic status:

Culture- the details of how a family lives their life; behaviors, life-style choices, religion, traditions, and more.

Diversity- the differences among people of things.

Uncle Veru- Male, upper-class socioeconomic status, and Hindu belief:

Culture- the way a group of people function together, communicate together, their belief, their practices, rituals, and other aspects of their life are similar in routine

Diversity- different characteristics people have from one another, such as skin color, belief and religion, language, and more.

Ovelle (Granny)- 90-year-old woman, upper-middle class socioeconomic status.

Culture- the way a number of people, joined together share a gross amount of similarities.  Impacting society through their behaviors, beliefs, knowledge, rituals, traditions, and so forth through generations and generations.  Means of survival that have been established before my time, and on.

Diversity- the difference of factors such as demographics, culture, belief and religion, education, class, and more that are found through many groups of people.

After reflecting on the answers I received from my family, I was able to grasp that each person had very similar definition to the terms culture and diversity.  The individuals I inquired information from ranged in diversity compared to my personal life.  Similarities do exist, but also do differences.  It seems they only defined the aspects of culture that many already assume or can see on the surface.  The fact that culture is imbedded in us from the experiences we encounter from the environment and the people that surrounding It, beginning at birth.  The description that the individuals used to define culture were aspects addressed in this week’s resources.  For example communication exist between culture, whether it is English, Spanish, French, or another.  The language contributes to one’s self-identity, self-esteem, and more.  The beliefs one practices or philosophy one believes.  “The process of developing a sense of self is a process of connecting an individual’s personal identity to their social identity” (Smidt, 2013, p.106).  Diversity is indeed referred to the numerous differences individuals and groups display.  Whether it is the location of ones home, their socioeconomical status, educational level, career choice, religion, sex, and more.  We are a nation full of color and experience that is truly rewarding if we focus on the positive impacts diversity has.  What a boring world if we all were the same.  “In a society as diverse as ours, maneuvering through its multiple cultures can be complex and confusing, as well as rich and delightful” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 55). 

After receiving the responses from my family on the terms of culture and diversity, I feel they defined culture and diversity as most would.  In their response we can see that they presented the facts that most can see referring to those topics.  There are many factors that contribute to the term culture.  It is an extremely larger term.  The word itself may only have 7 letters, but its definition is enormous.  Culture is an order or rules that an individual and group that governs one’s life choices, actions, behaviors, and more.  The facts that were omitted from the definitions is the fact of how culture has adapted over the ethos.  During the dynamic changes in culture, many hardships were presented.  For example, in the past some cultures only allowed men to have voices, and currently women are allowed to stand-up in some cultures.  Some cultures still bare the struggle with power in society.  “Social dominance theory claims that societies are structured as group-based hierarchies out of which group conflict and oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, nationalism) arise” (Purdie-Vaughns & Eibach, 2008, p. 379).  With such a broad term or topic it can be difficult for them to understand unless they truly dive into the many facets that run into culture. 

When I reflect on the opinions or thoughts of others in references to culture and diversity, I remain open-minded, as it is a very complex term to understand.  Many individuals focus on their central unit or family, especially if they are from the dominant culture.  Which is ultimately in power of society, so things seem to flow normal for them.  It is the cultures that are not of dominance that take the greatest impact or greater sacrifices.  For example, language is a form of identity.  Language is rooted in the numerous cultures around the world.  If a family, of a minority culture is located around a gross amount of dominant culture, they can feel a bit lost.  As the children enter school systems controlled by the dominant culture, the child may have to forfeit their native language at school.  This can create conflict in several means.  The reality is I am very open-minded to say.  Not saying I am aware of the many factors contributing to the diverse cultures amongst us, but open enough to not cast judgement.  My philosophy in life is we all are created by the hands of the Omnipotent, Omniscience, and Omnipresence, it is not my place to understand everything.  I may not agree with someone, but that is the part of every individual being created uniquely, in their own identity.  I think we all would focus more on what we have to offer others, and how to help others, instead of how different we are.  We would see a greater tomorrow.  I challenge everyone to revisit their philosophy and their views of others. 

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children         (NAEYC).

Purdie-Vaughns, V., & Eibach, R. (2008). Intersectional invisibility: Distinctive advantages and disadvantages of multiple subordinate-group identities. Sex Roles (59). 377-391.

Smidt, S. (2006). The developing child in the 21st century: A global perspective on child  development. New York, NY: Routledge.

My Family Culture Assignment

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

In response to this scenario I had to actually think real hard as to the three items I would take with me to this new land of unknown.  The first item I selected to take with me would be our family Bible, it has inside its pages pictures of family members an d other significant items to our family.  The other item I would take would be a photo album of my family.  In that photo album I have my grandparents, great Aunts and Uncles, cousins, my mom and dad, the entire family that I can recall.  The last item I think I would take with me would be a blanket my mother knit for me as a child.  This is a skill she learned from my great Aunt.  In order for me to explain to others the value of these items, I would show the photos I have in the album and in the family Bible.  I feel anyone whom values family unit, regardless of culture would grasps its place in my life.  Understanding the importance of family would allow them to understand how important each of these pieces are to me.  Material items are valuable to someone, especially if it carries sentimental value, as these items do for me.

            The feelings I would have when arriving to the new country would be rather overwhelming.  Nerves would be a complete mess.  Fear, worry, anxiety would indeed be in high response.  I would still strive to hold on to my Faith and the Faith I was taught by my family growing up, which can help keep the uneasy feels down.  If on arrival I was told I could only keep one item, I would be very upset to loss any part of me.  Already encountering a distribution in my life and family, fear would carry dominance traveling to the unknown.   In the end I would decide to keep my family Bible with the limited pictures and memorabilia items inside the pages.  Even though I could keep my Faith and recite verses in my mind, it was something in the hands of many family members.  I could close my eyes and envision them touching the Bible and it seemed as if they were with me.  Having to give up part of yourself is and can be very hard, especially if by force.  Family indeed contribute to the identity of oneself. 

            An insight that I gained through this assignment of critical thinking and self-reflection is that family is at the root of all cultures.  Traditions, beliefs, religion, material items, property, and more are left down to the next generation to ensure the survival of their culture.  Of course every culture is different and the impact it makes on the lives of its members varies.  “What is acceptable in one culture may not be acceptable in another” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 55).  Hold dear to your heart the values of your family and culture, so that you can always express those to your children and so forth. 

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children         (NAEYC).