Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

My staff and I are planning a cultural day at our child care center. We are all really excited about showing off who we are beyond what you can see everyday. While we got on the topic of attire I noticed two older Caucasian teachers talking privately and not engaging in the planning at all. I asked the two if there is something they would like to share with the group. One of the teachers stated that she is proud of her culture and wants to wear her attire. I encouraged her to do so as long as it was in line with our dress code. The two went back to a personal conversation as the rest of us continued to plan. Frustrated I asked if there is a problem and wanted the two to allow the rest of the staff into their conversation. The other teacher said “Our culture is Southern redneck. We want to wear the clothes of our culture, but do not want the black people on the staff to be mad at us. We really enjoy working with you ladies.” 

I was not sure how to respond to this. I told the teachers that we would discuss it later. I wanted to make sure that I plan my words carefully and do not offend anyone. This is a culture that has always been associated with being hateful towards the African American culture. But if this is their culture is it my place to deny them the opportunity to express it on culture day. I felt that the comment was made to ensure the staff members that they have accepted them for who they are, but I think it was also to let us know that they do have some negative feelings towards black people. I still do not know how to move forward with this one. I am all for them expressing their culture, especially since they smoothed things over with the staff, but I wonder how our customers will feel about it when they see them dressed like that. 

This weeks observation left me confused on my feelings about discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes. I feel like my two staff members are trying to be sensitive to others feelings, but I also feel that they want to express how they really feel. I remember in 2008 these two staff members felt very strongly against having a black president. I knew then that there was some prejudice there, but because they worked so well with everyone on the staff I never made an issue of it. But with this situation I am not really sure how they feel about black people, or more specifically me, as their boss and a black woman. I still feel that discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes are wrong. I think they will always be around though and they are all very easy to get sucked into. It takes a strong person to take a stand against these three injustices. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

What is your definition of culture?

Alyson: Culture is who you are, it’s how you grow up, stuff like religion, race, food. Everyone has some kind of culture.

Maggie: Culture is where you are from and all the things that go along with people from that place.

Anastasia: Culture is everything about you. It’s where you live, what you eat, where your family is from, the way you walk, talk, think, it’s even your sexual preferences. 

What is your definition of diversity?

Alyson: Diversity is what makes us different. It’s kind of the same as culture, because everyone’s culture is different. We use diversity as a way to declare these differences. 

Maggie: Being different from others based on culture. 

Anastasia: Diversity is the difference between one person and another. We can share some of the same cultures and be diverse in other areas. For example, we are both black, which is apart of our culture, but I’m African American, and you are Jamaican American, which makes us diverse. 

Alyson is a 27 year old, Caucasian Jewish woman who lives in Albany, New York. Maggie is a 65 year old Jamaican Christian who lives in Snellville, Georgia. Anastasia is a 23 year old African American Christian woman who lives in Dallas, Texas. 

These ladies are all right about their definitions of both culture and diversity. some of their definitions may be a little more broad than mine, but I think Anastasia gave the answers that are closest to mine. We both have the same views on culture and diversity. We see that there are many different forms of culture and many different forms of diversity. 

I really don’t think anything was left out between the three different perspectives on culture and diversity. Again, some of the perspectives were a little broad but still they shared a piece of the truth.

It was fun hearing different perspectives on culture and diversity. I think that Alyson and Maggie could use a little more knowledge on the topic. While they have the right idea, I ma not sure that they truly understand that both culture and diversity are so much more. Anastasia has a great view of culture and diversity. 

My Family Culture

If a major catastrophe completely devastated the infrastructure of my country and I had to leave with only three items I would bring my bible, my grandmothers dinner bell, and my iphone. My bible would need to be there because I would not be sure if this new culture that I am going to will be accepting of my religion. I know that several countries do not allow certain faiths to be observed and I don’t want to lose who I am just because I am in their country. I would also bring my grandmothers dinner bell. My family is very strict about meal times and family time. The two are almost synonymous. We eat together every chance that we get. My grandmother would ring her bell to let everyone know when the food is ready. We do not use the bell anymore, since her passing, but we make reference to it all the time and still deem it important to spend time together as a family eating and fellowshipping. My iPhone is my source to almost everything. I am able to see pictures of my family, I have a bible downloaded to it, and it is my way of keeping in contact with those that are not close enough to me. While taking this device to another country could cost me a whole lot of money, I still think it is worth it for me keep in contact. 

If I had to give up two of the three items I would give up the bible and the bell. While I would hate to lose the bell the most because it has been in my family for years, but I know that my grandmothers legacy will live on forever. I know that as long as two or more people are together we will take the time to eat together. We have a saying in our family that our dining tables could sell our movie. What we mean by this is that some many important things are discussed at each table that if it was sold to Hollywood, we would make a fortune. I am confident that this is a major part of my family culture that would never be lost. I would also give up my bible because I have one on my  phone. While my preference is to read directly from the book, I can still read it on my iPhone. Keeping my iPhone will allow me to see pictures, and remain in contact with those that I love. 

This exercise really helped me see that meals with my family really mean a lot to me! We not only limit ourselves to dinner, on Sunday mornings, we have a huge brunch, and have lunch and dinner whenever we can all get together.