Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

 Awareness is the ability to perceive, feel, gain, become aware of and understand something that is occurring.

Often times we observe microagression , but are not aware that it is occurring.  Sometimes we initiate it and are not aware of doing so. What do we do in these situations? What don’t we do?

I encountered a situation which at the time I was not aware that it was defined as microinvalidation.

I recently held a conversation with a group of friends both male and female and males getting a pedicure and a manicure. Instantly some replied that’s gay if a man gets his feet and nails done, especially if another man is doing it and he adds polish to it.  

This to me is an example of homosexual men being marginalized as men who get there nails done. All homosexual  men don’t fall in that category. We must not assume that actions such as these are only limited to one group.

In this situation I explained that the polish, who does it does not matter. It is about having a choice and options of ways of grooming yourself- unisex ways of doing so. Is it not ok for a man to get his hair cut and washed by another man I asked; a practice that many partake in male and female, homosexual and heterosexual?

I think in situations like this one sometimes people act out of stupidity or lack of knowledge and fear of what it is that they don’t know.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

 From my conversations I believe that a person’s experiences highly impacts their meaning of culture and diversity.  Speaking with different individuals that I am close with about their meaning of diversity and culture was very interesting. All three gave a different level of meaning. For me when I think of diversity what comes to mind is multifaceted and various differences that are linked in some way or another. Culture for me is a person’s way of life.

 1^st Respondent-Mrs. Warner

Relationship-Friend

 Her background: Mortgage Loan Underwriter

 Diversity: A mixture of cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, and demographics

Culture-morals and beliefs

2^nd Respondent-Mrs. Johnson

Relationship-Mother

Her Background- Social Worker

Diversity: A mixture of things that don’t resemble but still consist of a person being treated equally

Culture-Your Experiences

3^rd Respondent-Mrs. Guardio

Relationship-Teacher Assistant

Her Background –Mother and 1^st year teacher assistant

Mrs. Guardio provided an example of her experiences as it relates to culture and diversity.

She explained that her family loves to gather together for every occasion. She even showed pictures that represented the unity and the many gathers that her families have had. She went on to speak about her son who has Cerebral Palsy and how he is treated differently and the way  they are looked at. She explained that people part ways when they walk to a restaurant or a public place. She doesn’t like it, but she sticks her chest out nice and tall with pride to show them she is not ashamed. She and I spoke about the differences that people see in others can one day affect another.  She showed so much passion discussing her experiences. She also mentioned how difficult it had been for her to learn to speak English. Her husband taught her and made it an important part of his life to teacher. He would explain to her you have to Mi hija.  You have to learn how to speak and learn English.   

My Family Culture

The three items that I would take with me would be my bible, family photo album, and our family recipe book.

Our Christian faith and values hold my family together like glue. From as long as I could remember I would be in church from sun up to sun down on Sunday. On Saturday growing up I was required to be involved in the choir or a form of service offering my praises to the Lord. On Wednesday after school there was bible study. Continuously praising and worshipping God has helped model me into the one I am today.

On the first and third Sunday of every month my great grandmother would cook for our pastor. My great grandmother was said to be the best cook in town.  Gathering as a family and community is also essential to my soul. We would eat, listen to old stories and enjoy the company of one another. As a child I loved when the holidays came around and all of my family was together.

 

 The last item would be a photo album of my family. This album has captured many of the most memorable moments that we have encountered together. 

If I were told that I could only keep one item. It would be very difficult. The one item that I think I would keep would be the family cookbook. I feel that the recipes would allow me to reflect on the many celebrations, connections, and the unity that my family and I share. Thinking back on our family cookbook reminds me of my great grandmother who instilled so many strong  values within me.