Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

• Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

This week I was able to observe a mother accompanied with her two children mistreated for using a  SNAP card.Before I made this conclusion I observed 3 people ahead of the woman greeted with a smile and greeting but she did not. She was simply asked "Is that all?" It was clear that the clerk did not smile or greet her. The clerk seemed to be disturbed about her method of payment with his facial expression and tapping of his fingers on the counter. When I observed this microagggression take place I was furious. Social class discrimination is worst type. A mother with two children should not be discriminated 
for receiving government assistance especially when that program was created to help. Recently in the news we have learned that the wages for  low skill jobs can barely feed one person. Minimum wages were stagnated for so long that the gap between the wealthy and poor remains higher. 

• In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people.

Discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes are alive and well in America. This week I was able to observe numerous microagressions take place in person and on television. Television shows often utilize comedy to of set the discrimination sexual discrimination and racial was the most often depicted. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Out of my three interviews I choose to share my former co-worker's definition of culture, and diversity. My co-worker is Mexican and was born and raised in Mexico. Today she appreciates living in the United States."In the U.S my family has more opportunities and here feels safer and secure than my home country." My co-worked is older in age getting close to retirement. Here are her thoughts about culture and diversity.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

"I think of culture as a personal connection with family. Culture is a way of living, its how people live, act, and think."

"Diversity is culture, hair color, size, race, demographics. Diversity highlights our differences as people."

My co-worker's definitions is very closely aligned with what we're studying in this course. She mentioned it being a way people live but did not go in depth. The way we live involves surface culture and deep culture. It's not only the way dress, look, and eat but also our values, language, and gender roles. On the other hand diversity does involve our differences. Our different demographics highlights our differences.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Hearing others definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics The fact that the U.S is seen as a place of endless possibilities and resources changed my view of America. Often as a citizen you make focus on everything that's wrong in America. Other than that my personal definitions remain the same. 

My Family Culture

Family Picture

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10102812572424340&set=a.10100516461983070.2639759.22909094&type=1

Hair Comb

Bible                                           

How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you?

A picture of my family will show my husband and two children that I love dearly. This picture will bring unconditional love to mind along with a wonderful marriage and two childbirth experiences. This picture will have endless stories of my two two angels and they're growth before my eyes. 

The comb would represent the countless bonding experiencing with the women in my family. We practice so many design with our hair as African Americans I refer to it as our crowns. My mom braided and combed my hair into some many different styles. I recall my grandmother giving the ultimate perms and hot comb press. Now today I comb my daughters hair into ponytails, beads, braids. The crowns on our heads are forever changing and a journey in itself. 

Lastly I would take a small bible. This will be reminder to my faith and how trusting God has been with others and myself. Delivering others from evil and providing perfect peace. 

Your feelings if, 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 be hurt but ultimately I would keep my bible. My bible with sustain my losses. Through prayer, worship, and faith I would be able to move on another country and live successfully with God creating my path. 

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

I was able to recognize how much time, money and energy myself and family discuss hair. Describe our hair as crowns is the perfect analogy because from infant to womanhood our women "Get our hair done!" We are blessed with course, kinky, curly hair that cannot be left untamed unless we want to look that way. But this exercise really made me think about how important it is to know how to do hair in order to save time, money and energy. It also made me realize all of the memories created from doing hair and getting my hair done and how is passed on down from generation to generation.