Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

During the course of this week, I have learned quiet a lot about microaggressions.  Microaggressions  are brief everyday verbal, behavioural or environmental indignities that are communicated intentionally or unintentionally and which contain insulting messages often causing psychological stress and harm to an individual (Laureate Education Inc., 2011). 

One example of microagression which really stood out to me was one which I witnessed yesterday.  While walking down the block to my cousin’s house, an elderly white woman was walking down the opposite side of the road with a young black man walking towards her.  As the young black man approached her, she clutched her bag.  After he had passed her, she released her hold on the bag.  This to me was an example of microinsult.  She was sending the message that he was going to steal from her and that he was a criminal which did not belong in society.  Having witnessed this, I was dumbfounded and rather saddened.  It had me wondering whether she would have behaved in that same manner, if I was the one walking towards her as I am brown in complexion.

Having read the articles for this week, and having witnessed microaggressions had me to do some reflection.  It had me to realize that as individuals we need to be aware of ourselves as cultural beings, as well as being aware of our biases, stereotypes, prejudices and assumptions which influence our perceptions and behaviours.  Before we speak or act we need to think about what we are going to say and how we behave.  More specifically, as early childhood educators we need to be cognizant of this as children usually model/mimic what we say and do.  As Margles and Margles (2010) rightly put it, children are not born racist but rather are taught racism.

References

Laureate Education Inc. (Producer).  (2011).  Microaggressions in everyday life [Video File].  Retrieved fromhttps://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_5416679_1%26url%3D

Margles, S., & Margles, R. M. (2010). Inverting racism's distortions. Our Schools/Our Selves, 19(3), 137 - 149. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

For this assignment I spoke with three individuals.  My significant other; my sister who is older than I am and a kindergarten teacher; and my niece who is thirteen years and they all shared their perspectives on culture and diversity.

My significant other

Culture:  is your values, beliefs, tradition, ethnicity, language, religion and by extension your                       upbringing.

Diversity: is the differences among groups of people.  These groups can be gender, race, social                       class etc.

My sister

Culture: is the value system of any group, be it family or society, based on social, religious and                   ethnic factors.  Nonetheless, culture is influenced by time.

Diversity: is the similarities and differences among people.  It is what makes us stand out and be                  unique. Being diverse means not losing your own identity to conform to that of others.           It involves respecting and accepting the uniqueness in everyone.

My niece

Culture:  is your way of life.  Your values, beliefs, language, customs, traditions, and                                    mannerisms. It defines who you are.

Diversity: is the differences among people.  Differences in the way you look, walk, speak, your                     abilities and talents.

Reflecting on the definitions that were given, it was evident that they are all related to what was learnt this week on culture and diversity.  They all encompassed some aspects of surface and deep culture.  Nonetheless, one aspect of culture which I never thought of was highlighted by my sister, and that is the notion that culture is influenced by time.  Taken in that light, it means that culture is not static/fixed by rather dynamic and complex which is also in keeping with some of the insights gained this week.  They all suggested that culture and diversity are intertwined and as such are vital to every society.  These two concepts define who we are as individuals.  Considering the ideas of these individuals has reinforced my understanding of culture and diversity.