Microaggressions

According to Sue and colleagues (2007) microaggressions are common verbal, behavioral, and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile or negative slights to marginalized groups. Perpetrators of microaggressions are often unaware that they engage in such interactions when they interact with minorities (Potts, n.d.). One of the microaggressions I detected sometimes ago was when the white lady I’m assisting in the class was trying to tell me that she’s been out of Europe since 20 years ago, that she’s been going around to work in different places as an expatriate, that she would like to go to one more place to work after leaving Ethiopia before she goes back to Europe. She continued by telling me that her children have had the opportunity to understand English as a second language and that she’s very happy. The lady continued by saying they have all had the opportunity to go to Russia, Togo, Ethiopia and Nigeria where they saw poor people on the road begging and she said but they have not found such in Ethiopia. Immediately I heard her saying that I felt somehow within me because it was an insult to me and it was as if she intentionally said it, by mentioning that they have not found poor people in Ethopia. I was later saying within me that I would have told her there is no country she would ever go to that she wouldn’t find poor people. Also sometimes I think she likes to show that she’s the one in charge of the class because at times when I tell a child to do something or not to do something she sometimes asks that child to do otherwise which I think is very humiliating.

This course has made me to be more careful the way I relate with people, trying to watch people and situation closely to see different people’s cultural perspective and their attitude towards others. One usually feels somehow when people are having negative assumption about one. It is something I notice we’ve been taught by the society according to Sarah & Rabbi. One should just need to be careful not to be too sensitive about microaggressions.

Reference:

Potts, Z. (n.d.) Microaggressions: Microaggression In Everyday Life. Retrieved from http://www.fordham.edu/academics/office_of_research/research_centers__in/center_for_teaching_/the_art_of_ teaching/microaggressions_89343.asp

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

The first person I talked to by sending an email to her is a South Africa lady. She defined culture is a way of life defined by behaviors, beliefs, values, customs, traditions, symbols, practiced, generally without thinking, by a particular group of people. Culture is passed along intrinsically from one generation to the next.

Diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences.  It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc) contained within each individual.

The second person defined culture is something that tells you what to belief, dress to wear, people to relate with, the kind of food to eat, how to respect etc.

Diversity is about how we have different people from different part of the world and each group of people have something unique particular to them.

 The third person is a man who defined culture as something you are used to base on your background experience or association. It affects nearly all the aspects of one’s life. It dictates preferences such as colour, food, dressing and social interaction.

Diversity is having different culture together. The interaction among those different cultures creates diversity.

All the above definitions are quite similar to what we have been learning about culture and diversity since the beginning of this course. The first one really nailed the definition on the head by making mention of people’s traditions and that culture is something that is passed along from one generation to the other. She also made mention of acceptance and respect which are very important when we are talking about diversity.

It’s actually an eye opener and opportunity to hear other people’s definition about culture and diversity. It helps me to see how important culture is to individual and to the society.

My Family Culture

If I were to be in a situation where a major catastrophe had almost completely devastated the infrastructure of my country which I don’t pray for in Jesus name. The first thing I would like to go with is my Bible because I can’t do without it. As a Christian it’s my life that I need to meditate on everyday in order for me to proper in all my ways. The second one would be my family picture just to have a good memory of my loved ones. Lastly, I would like to go with the jewelry given to me by my lovely mother because it’s so precious to me.  

I would definitely  not be happy if they have to tell me upon arrival that I could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items because I found it difficult to choose only three things in the first place talk less of having to go with one. I would feel as if I’ve been disconnected from my loved ones.

Through this exercise I’ve been able to see some of the things and people that are really important to me that I never thought of before especially the word of God (Bible) and my family. They both reminded me about my root and as I keep on remembering them, they will continue to strengthen me.