Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions Now that I have read on what are microaggressions I find myself listening out for them and making myself aware of the things I say. This week at work I experience a microaggression. One of my co-workers was talking to a volunteer who is Indian. The co-worker was talking to her and made mentioned that she spoke good English for not being raised here in the United States. The volunteer told my co-worker that she studied English from home and studied in the States. My coworker remarked how impressive that was and how proud her family must be. As I listened to the conversation I immediately thought of Dr. Sue and his experience and feelings when someone had approached him in a similar manner. I see the volunteer become offensive and her answers were short and to the point. My observation of the situation was that my co-worker did mean to offend her and thought she was giving her a compliment. I looked at the matter in a different light now that I know and understand what microaggressions are and how the comments we think are innocent but in the end are hurtful and discriminatory.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

The three people I asked about diversity and culture are my sister who is seven years younger, my sister-in-law who is an African American and my other sister-in-law who is Macedonian. The answers that then gave me were similar to what I have studied so far. They all feel that culture is a persons traits and traditions that are carried from generation to generation. Diversity is the differences that people bring to the table. Differences can be language, customs, foods, and up bring of the children. My sister-in-law who is Macedonian expressed the diversity in her own culture depends on which part of the country you are from; it may be that a particular food is prepared in a different way from where she was raised or center words can be different as well. The reason I asked my younger sister about diversity and culture is to see what the thoughts of the younger generation and if it was the same as mine being older. Her thoughts are the same and added she wished my parents raised us deeper into our culture. What is omitted from their answer to the question is how they were influenced by the dominant culture also if their parents altered their thinking and adopted any of the norms to fit in. The answers they gave me influenced me to continue to look into diversity and culture and to keep in the front of my mind to accept all differences and to put aside my biases.

My Family Culture

If I had to take three things that represented my family culture it would be seeds that represent plants that I use for cooking, family photos and cultural musical instruments. The seeds that I would bring will be used for our special foods that we make. I would bring this so that I can continue the richness of cuisine. I would also bring the photos of our family so that our children will not forget who they are and to show our future grandchildren their family pictures before the catastrophe. The musical instruments such as the small guitar that has four strings; it is called a quarto, which means four. This guitar has a special sound and when it is played all those who are Puerto Rican knows what instrument is playing. If I had only one to choose from it will be the family pictures. Pictures hold memories, so when you tell a story and show the picture it will form a visual that will keep those memories alive. The insight I have gained from this exercise is how important the pictures are to holding onto your culture. We can find spices and musical instruments, but the faces to the people you left behind or did not survive will carry on for generations.