Detecting Microaggressions

An example of a microaggression that I detected this week is a gender microsaggression. I was at work and a teacher walked into the office. We began to have a discussion about how there was trash around the dumpster that needed to be picked up. We have been having trash issues with the cleaners so I am usually the person to clean up the mess. The teacher suggested that we ask our only male teacher that we have because “He is a male and it should be his job to clean up the trash.” Of course, I would never have asked the only male teacher to clean the trash just because he is a male so I did it myself. I realized now looking back that I experienced a microsaggression. In that situation I told the teacher who made the comment that there was no way that I would ever do that.

This experience has led me to believe that microaggressions happen more then I realize. Many are unintentional and not meant to hurt the other person’s feelings but can easily if not well-thought-out. Discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes are very serious and need to be taken into consideration as soon as possible. Within the work place it is very important to try and eliminate any type of negative behavior /comments toward others.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

1.       Culture is a way to express beliefs and traditions.

Diversity is a mix of different cultures and nationalities in the same community.

 2.       Culture is traditions of certain ethnic groups.

Diversity is the differences in traditions or ways of life.

 

3.       Culture is generally accepted customs within a certain demographic.

Diversity is the varying culture within one given demographic.

 

The aspects of culture that are included in the aspects that I received are the following: expression of beliefs and traditions within ethnic groups and customs within a certain demographic. The aspects of diversity that are included in the aspects that I received are the following: mix of different cultures into one community, different traditions, different ways of living, and the varying culture within one given demographic.

 

There were no answers that I omitted for this assignment.

 

Thinking about other people definitions of culture and diversity has influenced my own thinking of these topics because I have further realized that finding one accurate definition of either culture or diversity is difficult. There is so many specifics that are involved in the meaning of culture and diversity. I think that is why I am continuing to learn more and more on the meaning as I continue my course work here at Walden.

 

My Family Culture

The three items that I would choose are the following: my grandmother’s wedding ring, my grandfather’s Purple Heart medal, and a picture of my family.

 

I would explain to others how my grandmother’s wedding ring is important to me because it symbolizes the love that my grandmother and my grandfather shared. I was very close with my grandparents my entire life and they taught me many of the things I know today.

 

I would explain to other how my grandfather’s Purple Heart medal is important because it is a representation of how he fought for my country which is where I am from. It reminds me of his dedication and work ethic that he represented throughout the World War II. 

 

I would explain to others that a picture of my family is important because I am able to remember the times we share together. My family is the most important thing to me in my life so I feel like a picture would help me feel at home if I had it with me.

 

If I was told upon arrival that I could only keep one of the three items I would be devastated. I cannot even imagine how I would feel if I had to leave my country and leave everything of importance behind. This assignment has taught me that it was difficult to narrow down to three items of what I would keep with me to represent my culture. Many of the things that I have symbolize my family culture because it is who I am as a person.