Microaggression

The most blatant example of microaggression I witness this week was made by a principle at the school in which I teach about a four year old child.  A parent of one of my students asked to speak to me in regards to foul language her child used at home .  When the mother questioned her about such language the child stated that she heard another student in her classroom use this language.  I worked with the mom explaining how sorry I was and that I would have a tlak with the entire class about appropriate language.    

Later that day I brought the incident to my principles attention.  Her respond was “I am not surprised if …… uses such language, you’ve seen that that family, I mean where did all of those kids come from?  They look all different.  And that dad has been to jail.”   My response was … could have heard it from anywhere, her parents are very involved with her and I think she was just making a bad choice.  I left her offices feeling sad, embarrassed, offended.  I had nine siblings.  Does that mean I was allowed to watch inappropriate movies or listen to inappropriate music or use foul language?  Not with my parents or one of my elder sisters knowledge!   

The definition of culture and diversity

This assignment was more difficult than expected.  I had to come to terms with the fact that I did not agree with what people, that I consider being a part of everyday life.  They did not have the same understanding of what culture and/or diversity is as I do.   I would like to start with a female, Hispanic co-worker once I explained the reason for my questioning she seem to let her guard down.

Sandra, Mexican American, describes culture as who a person is in the inside.  It is everything that a person has learned from their parents and family.  Diversity is what I am made up of.  My Mexican heritage and traditions blended with my American traditions. .      

Ana, from Bolivia moved to America one year ago to work as an Au pair.  She describes culture as what she has learned from her mother, how to cook, clean and sew.   Diversity as sharing her food, stories, religion and love with her new family and hopefully with a husband she has just joined a dating site.

Stephanie, from Hawaii.  Proudly states that her people are proud of their believes, how they take care of each other.  Diversity is sharing those believes.  

Thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics in a concerned way.  Explaining its complexity comes with a great challenge. 

Emergency Evacuation

In case of an emergency evacuation the three items I would take with me are:

            My Joyce Meyer bible, which will give me strength to make it through another day. 
            My personal documentation, which I will need to start my new life. 
            My youngest daughter's baby books which letters and pictures of most of my loved ones. 

I would feel devastated if I was told I could only take one of the items with me.  I would keep my document file stuffing it with pages from my  bible and pictures of my loved one.

The insight I have remains the same.  Living in America can be hard but it allows me to embrace my culture.