Microaggressions

A stereotype is defined as an exaggerated belief, image or distorted truth about a person or group- a generalization that allows for little or no individual differences or social variation that are based on images in mass media, or reputations passed on by parents, peers, and members of society(Teaching Tolerance, n.d.). This past week, I have heard different types of microaggressions used by different people. Microaggressions can come in multiple forms. I would like to share one of the microaggressions I heard this week, and I would also like to share an incident of an unintentional microaggression experienced by my sister. My family and I were in a casual conversation, when my mother mentioned a statement made by one of her co-workers. The statement was" Asian people can't drive because their eyes are slanted". What an ignorant statement. There are bad drivers in every race! My sister was at work; her and a few co-workers were listening to( an old rap song). One of her white co-workers, walked by and said" you all are listening to that ghetto music"? According to Dr. Sue that type of microaggression is called a "Micro-insult", because it attacks a person's heritage. Rap music is a form of poetry accompanied with an intense beat. Now, I am not a fan of most rap songs, but that statement would have been offensive to me. My sister did not get offended; she knew he meant no intentional harm.
My experiences this week, revealed the reality of microaggressions, and how they can effect our everyday interactions, and relationships. Microaggressions stem from ignorance. People allow stereotypes and ignorant beliefs, passed down from generation to generation, to influence their feelings and attitudes toward those different from them.

        

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This week I spoke with two African American females( older & younger), and one African American male. All three persons, described culture as a family or group who have certain beliefs, and customs. One person used the example of religion. She said "some families share certain religious beliefs". Diversity was described as the difference in people, and cultures. During our discussion, I explained the definition of  what the US considers the dominant culture. One of the females responded by saying" The US is the melting pot now; there are all types of cultures and ethnicities represented in the US". She even went on to discuss how ridiculous it sounds, to say" blacks  should marry and have babies with blacks; whites have babies with whites", and so on. We discussed how beautiful diversity is, and how boring life would be without it(diversity). It is sad to see how closed minded people can be( including myself). In the 17th century, the dominant culture of the US, would called those different from themselves barbarians(Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). What a sad way to exist!  Diversity is what makes the world go around!  

My Family Culture

If my immediate family and I were evacuated to anther country, with a culture different from my own, I would take my bible, music, and photos of my family left behind. I personally believe the scriptures in the bible, have a way of comforting a person, in the most horrific times. Being removed from the only country I have known, against my will, would be what I consider a horrific time. My family and I could use the bible to encourage one another. If I was told I had to give up two of the three items I brought, I would choose to give up the bible and music. The scriptures are in my heart, and I am a person who literally sing all day; the songs are in my heart as well.

 My family is so very important to me, and I would miss them tremendously. There is not a week that goes by, that I do not spend some time with my mom, sister, niece(2), nephew. Every week we gather at my mom's house to share the events of our day, or week, and basically we take time to encourage one another. I would feel very sad, if I had to give up their photos, or not be allowed to see
them again! I would probably look like this if I were removed from my country, home, and away from my family.