Microaggression

One example of microaggression that I remember is being called the little black girl in the neighborhood.  As a child I felt that I was different and did not belong.  I did not have an adult to tell me any different.  My mom never took the time to tell me why I was different or why they call me the little black girl.  As a child I felt as I did not belong and I knew as a child that I had to get all the education that I could.  I knew that I could not be just the black woman.  I wanted to be smart, intelligent, beautiful and successful.  I was determined to be all the things that I desired.  As an adult I realized that my color was not a factor and that I could do anything that I put my mind to.  As a parent, I talk to my children all the time because they are growing up in a diverse population.  I let them know that their race do not determine their life or their goals. 

Cultural and Diversity

Three people that I chose to ask about culture and diversity is my supervisor, my husband and a co-worker.  My supervisor is a Native American.  My husband is African-American.  My co-worker is Caucasian. 

My supervisor stated that culture is a person ethnic group and where they come from.  She stated that culture can break down by the ethnic group’s language, food they eat, clothing, dancing and religion.  She stated that diversity is the different cultures in a population. 

My husband thought I was given him a challenge question.  I had to let him know that there was no right or wrong answered.  He stated that culture is his family background and his belief.  He stated that culture plays a major factor in family traditions and rituals.  He stated that diversity is like the melting pot.  He stated that the melting pot was a bunch of ingredients’ mixed in a pot.  He stated that the world is has different kind of people and that we all are different and that we share the same world. 

My co-worker stated that culture to her is her family tree and her religion.  She stated that her culture is her ancestors and family traditions.  She stated that diversity is all the cultures in the world.  She stated that every culture is different which makes the world to be a diverse place. 

I did not have a hard time getting the three people that I chose to answer the question.  I think that they were all correct and describe culture and diversity in a similar way. 

Family Culture

A description of the three items you would choose:

1.      Family Photo book- I would take my family photo book because it would allow me to look at my family and some of the good times that we had.  Looking at pictures would help me remember what they look like at that time in my life. 

2.      Paper- I would take paper, hoping and praying that I would be given the opportunity to write my family that I have left behind.  Communicating by letters may be an option for me to keep in contact when I arrive to this country.

3.      Cell Phone- I would take my cell phone because I may get the chance to call my family.  Talking with them on a cell phone may be another option if I have services in the country that I am going to.  If I am not able to talk with my family, I would be able to look at the videos and pictures that I have in my phone.   

Upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you.  I would choose to keep my family photo book because my cell phone will eventually need to be charged and since I could only bring 3 objects, my charger did not make it with me.  In regards to the paper I chose, I may not be able to find someone with a pen or paper to write my family.  If I did have paper and pen the other problem that I may encounter would be finding a way to mail my letters to my family.  Living in another country may have different methods of how they delivered certain packages. So with that being saying, my family photo book would allow me to look at my family daily, even if I am in another country. 

Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise.

I have learned that it would be hard for me to choose rather or not I would take my husband and children.  Family means a lot to me and I would rather for my children to have at least one parent in their lives.  Having 3 children and a husband means that if I was given the opportunity to take them I could not because I would have to leave someone behind.  My family culture is important and I would like for my family to stay together and be able to know their family.  I come from a big family and Holidays are the times that we all get together to enjoy each other.  I would like for my family to continue these holiday traditions because family is important and I value every member.