Practicing Awareness of Microaggression

•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? The microagression that I remember from another time is microassaults. It happened while I was in high school and different individuals were walking through the halls yelling out racial slurs towards a group of people who were in their way. When I observed this happening, I was uncomfortable and wanted to get away from the situation. It was completely inappropriate and uncalled for. The individuals, who were being called names, were very upset and were unsure of what to do or where to go. •In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people. People are placed into stereotypes regardless of what they look like, what race they are, and what religion they are. My observations have led me to see that people can be cruel towards others who they know nothing about. Rather then get to know someone, they are quick to pass judgment and follow along with what they hear about different groups of people.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

•Call, write to, or talk to at least three friends, family members, acquaintances, and/or colleagues. Include at least one person who you believe is in some ways culturally different from you (a different gender, race, class, religion, abilities, age, etc.). Maria – Culture is the background that people have and share with their family. It is what they are a part of. For example if they are Puerto Rican like me, we have specific ways we celebrate holidays with our family that are different from people of other cultures. Diversity is when people of different backgrounds and culture come together and unite as one. Jon – Culture is where people are from and what traditions or holidays they bring with them. They are celebrated within a family setting. Diversity is when others can accept people who are different from them. They can look past their differences and still find things in common. Janice – To me, culture is what we celebrate and what we are a part of. Diversity is when we come together as a society and look past our different backgrounds to celebrate our lives together as one whole community. •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? Culture and diversity have different definitions no matter how many people are asked and what their race, religion, or genders are. One aspect of culture and diversity that I received in the answers and is similar to what I studied, is that everyone is different. Culture and diversity are something we must accept as a community and find ways to work together to make them function as a whole. The definitions I received from my colleagues briefly described that along with the fact that culture is something that is encompassed through family and traditions. •Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission? I didn’t find anything to be omitted. Everyone had a similar definition or meaning behind the terms culture and diversity. It all revolved around acceptance and finding ways to make it work with everyone regardless of their background. •In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics? Upon listening to others definitions of culture and diversity, I have taken the time to review my own definitions and see how they fit. I agree with what everyone said and the definitions they gave me. It allowed me to see the words from others perspectives and get a deeper understanding on the topic.

My Family Culture

•A description of the three items you would choose The three items I would choose are: Italian Horn necklace: The necklace was passed down to me and means a great deal to my family. It is an Italian heirloom and represents a good luck charm. Ireland’s flag: I am very proud of my Irish background and would want to show others my background. American Flag: The symbol of my home country and where I grew up. I am very honored to be American and would want to display the colors to allow others to see where I am from. •How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you I would have to explain each item individual in order for others to fully understand why each other is important. Together, all three items represent who I am as a person as well as my background. It would also explain my family’s traditions and why we are proud of the flags I carry. The necklace would be explained as something that not only is from my Italian roots but also from my father who is no longer with my family. I am proud of the necklace and would be devastated if I had to leave it behind. The flags represent who I am and demonstrate what my heritage is, something that I would never forget or leave behind. •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 completely devastated and would be unable to part with any item. Each one describes who I am and where I am from. The most important item would be the necklace and I would find a way to hold on to it for as long as possible. •Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise, One insight that I gained about myself and my family culture is how proud we are of our background. I never noticed how much heritage we included in our daily lives. I hang Ireland’s flag in my bedroom without even thinking about any other aspect of it other than that’s where my ancestors are from. The Italian horn necklace is my proudest heirloom and never thought about how much it truly means to me until now.