Practicing Awareness

I have been reminiscent this week in my interactions over the past few years and a couple of microaggressions have become apparent to me. Several months ago I and a colleague were discussing various languages. I was shocked to hear that she was born in Okinawa, Japan.  I was shocked because I had presumed she was born in the United States. She is African American and speaks English affluently. Although I didn’t verbalize this presumption, I had thought this microassault. 

This morning in a staff meeting we were being assigned child care programs who have contacted our agency for assistance in applying for Ohio’s quality rating system. When one program was mentioned, Me maw’s, a colleague said, “She must be from the south. You know people in the south use that term frequently.” I was astonished to quickly realize that these types of statements, or microassaults, have been said around our office in various contexts over time. 

My studies and reflections this week have rendered a new awareness in myself and others. I am saddened that these microaggressions are thrown around so freely and without intention. I am reminded of Dr. Sue’s mention of the psychological dilemmas regarding microaggressions, “Unintentional invisible nature of microaggressions” (Laureate, 2011). In a field as widespread and community-based as early childhood, we must work to stamp out the use of these microaggressions to break down barriers and cultivate relationships.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in every day life. Baltimore, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1340816_1%26url%3D

Perspectives

For this blog, I asked 3 individuals with varying backgrounds in education and life experiences.

40 year old Canadian born living and working in the US:

Culture – someone’s values and beliefs, the collection of what they believe, their actions and behaviors based on their upbringing, ethnicity, religion etc. 

Diversity – the different types of cultures and ethnicity, genders, religions, all the things that make us different from each other.  Diversity means there are different characteristics in a common group of people such as at work or school.

53 year old African American female:

Culture – the systems of knowledge shared by a relatively large group of people of experiences, beliefs, values, and attitudes.

Diversity – recognizing and appreciating the variety of characteristics that make individuals (people of different races or cultures) unique in an atmosphere that promotes and celebrates individual and collective achievement.

21 year old Caucasian college graduate:

Culture – the race, beliefs, and values of a group of people.

Diversity – seeing differences between the people of the same culture.

The responses from these individuals captured many of the terms that I have studied thus far in the course (race, beliefs, values, upbringing, differences, and individuality). Some definition that was insightful for me was “promotes and celebrates individual and collective achievement.”

This exercise gave me a chance to “see” others perspective on such broad terms. At the start of this blog I mentioned that these individuals have experienced diverse journeys and activities in their life; I believe their definitions demonstrate such. With each year we live and each experience, we build our knowledge on any topic. I am positive that my 40-year-old and 53-year-old friends define culture and diversity as they do as a product of their experiences.

My Family Culture

I enjoy packing for trips. A friend of mine jokes with me often because I can pack for a week's trip in about 15 minutes and I usually pack at the last minute. When I imagined packing for a trip in which I could take only three things with me, it took me a little bit longer to determine the three most precious items that represented me and my culture. To leave everything behind can be such a determent.

First, I chose a family picture. Of course, anyone would, I would guess. We have had many family pictures taken over the years; however, as we have all grown up and raised our own families, we have not taken time to take a family portrait lately. Holding this picture would offer me support and memories to guide me through such a catastrophe as to leave my homeland.

Secondly, I would pack my bible. With the grace of my Heavenly Father, I know that I am always protected and any occurrences that I encounter are meant to be on my life journey. The faith that I hold in God is what guides me through life experiences, whether they are positive or negative.

In closely reflecting on the last item to pack for this journey, I chose my Girl Scout sash. Most people are familiar with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Troops of young girls and boys are created in which they participate in adventures and projects to learn life skills and strengthen their persistence. My Girl Scout sash, full of merit badges, would remind me of the camaraderie and relationships I had with the other girls in my troop over the years. The sash represents my determination and success in work and service projects.

If I were told that I could only take one item with me, I would be even more distraught. In this event I would certainly take my Bible, as it is the cornerstone of my existence and all I have ever known in faith and unconditional love.   

One insight this exercise provided is that we must hold true to our core being and not be so wrapped up in commercialism and having possessions. This is a revolving lesson for many people I know, including me.