Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

         Unfortunately, as a black woman, I am subjected to microaggressions not only from those of different ethnicities but also gender as well. The most recent significant microaggression I suffered was when I took my son to a neurologist a few weeks ago. My son has been followed by several specialists since birth because of his diagnosis of Autism and CP and moving to a new state, I wanted to establish with one here. As I began to divulge information about his very extensive history of therapists and specialists, I was interrupted by the doctor on several occasions to compliment me on how articulate I was, to which I did not respond. The final interruption came in the form of a question when he asked me if I was a doctor. When I told him I was not, he then asked what exactly I did for a living. I told him that I was currently an at home mom who advocates for her children and again came another compliment that I was so knowledgeable and well versed, which again, I took offense to but did not express what I now can identify as a microinsult. His hidden message in my opinion was that black people are not intelligent and don't speak well. I also felt slighted as a woman and I think simply because he was male, I believe though, he could tell from my tone and facial expression that I was offended, seemed a bit confused as to why since he was showering me with accolades. 

         As I think back on the numerous microaggressions I am subjected to, the most common one is the way I speak.  I've been told so many times, not only from white people but black as well that I don't "sound black." What the hell does that mean?? How are "black" people supposed to sound or talk? I respond by telling them I speak "correctly" and that it's not a racial language, it's plain grammar! I feel it is degrading to my ethnicity and heritage to think I am supposed to Not be able to speak or know how to behave properly. I come from a long line of highly educated well versed people that include doctors, engineers, government officials, lawyers, journalists, musicians, and more. For people to assume a race of people lacks the capacity to aspire to operate on their "level" is microinvalidation in its highest form and unfortunately, this happens more times than not and worse yet, the offenders are totally unaware of their aggressions, which Dr. Sue explains is the most damaging.

         How I wish everyone could see or hear his video but then again, I am sure many will doubt what he is saying applies to them; yet another form of microinvalidation. 

Therefore I continue to exist in the realm of catch 22. 

Reference

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Studying diversity and culture has opened my eyes to the vast number of diverse people here in the US.  As our country is continuing to become more and more diverse, it is imperative that we accept and embrace those from all walks of life. Asking friends and family their definition of culture and diversity gave me some insight as to how we view others.




Friends/Family Definitions of Culture 

• Daughter: Social set of rules set by generations before us. Examples of culture include ethnicity, how people act, and eating habits.
• Friend: Culture to me is the fabric of how a race celebrates who they are, i.e. Spanish people celebrate their Latin culture with Cinco de Mayo, African Americans with Kwanzaa, and Jewish people with Rosh Hashanah.
• Friend: Culture what defines me as a member of a particular group.  I am Jamaican and I therefore do the things Jamaicans would do, not because it’s the thing to do but who I am, my parents, their parents, etc. I am proud of my heritage and hope to continue our family legacy.

Friends/Family Definitions of Diversity

• Daughter: Group with different types of people like racial, shy, outgoing, personality
• Friend: Diversity is how you would describe the various types of people within the US by race, creed, color and sex. 
• Friend: Diversity to me means difference. Race, sex, gender, even economic status in the US is so different/diverse. I like that because it gives us a taste of how the rest of the world is without actually having to travel to all the different places.

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?
Aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the responses I received from friends and family includes ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status.  

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?
Those aspects that have been omitted include the diverse population of people who are disabled and/or have special needs. 

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics? 
When I reflect on other people’s definition of culture and diversity, it lets me know that they are topics that many people, it seems, don’t consider very often and maybe, and possibly even something that is taken for granted, which may be the reason why there is so much inequality in this country.

                                          My Family Culture
If a catastrophic event caused my immediate family and me to take refuge in another country as our new home and I was forced to choose only 3 small items to take with me, they would be our family bible, family pictures, and my children’s birth and my marriage certificates.

• How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you
Our bible is the foundation of our family and beliefs.  Our pictures help us to maintain the memories of our lives and how we lived in our country. Last I would bring birth and marriage certificates in case I have to prove my children and husband belong to me.

• 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?
If I were told I could only bring one item, I would, needless to say, be highly upset because choosing three items was difficult enough.

• Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise?
I feel it is important for people to maintain family values and cultures even when faced with adversity because these are the things that help us to feel a sense of belonging to this world.