Practicing Awareness of Micro Aggression

This past Tuesday a young women, of a different race, asked me "Why can black people keep their hair oily and don't have to wash it everyday". I am not a licensed cosmetologist, therefore I did not know the appropriate answer. All I could tell her was that hair textures vary from person to person, not necessarily because of one's race. I honestly believe that she did not meant any harm. When reviewing the resources for this week, it opened my eyes to just how often scenarios such as this, and the discussion board, occur.

Week 4 resources have allowed me to realize that discrimination does not have to be as open and obvious as a burning cross. People often tend to say or act in ways that are totally oblivious to them as being racist or discriminatory.

Perspectives on Culture and Diversity

For this blog assignment, there were many people that I could have chosen to give their definition of culture and diversity. However, the three people that I chose are based upon their age, wisdom, and profession. My 81 year old grandmother, who is a former teacher has traveled all around the world with my grandfather, who was apart of the arm services. Mother, as she is called, defined culture is a common practice that a group of people or society. These practices can include language, dress attire, religion, and social interaction. She defined diversity as the differences among society. Diversity can include family size/style, race, age, and religion. The second person who defined culture and diversity was my twin sister LaQuincia. Quincy define culture as group of people who lived, believed, and interacted in similar ways. This group of people may be of the same racial or ethnic back ground, as was as religious background. Diversity is defined as the differences among people, that make them all unique/ The last person I spoke with is of a different racial background, as well as age. My supervisor Wendy defined culture as a group of people with similar practices, beliefs, physical characteristics, and/or religious beliefs. Diversity was defined by Wendy as unique characteristics that distinguish individuals apart from others.

Based upon the definition of culture and diversity, some examples of what has been discussed thus far in this course are culture including including similar practices such as language, race/ethnicity, social interactions. Examples of diversity discussed thus far  are family size/style and age.

Based upon the definitions taken from all three subjects, there does not seem to be an examples that have been omitted.

Hearing how my grandmother, sister, and supervisor perceived culture and diversity made me realize that both terms have broad definitions. Culture and diversity go far beyond race and ethnicity. These terms also made me realize that culture and diversity seem to go hand and hand. Similar characteristics are what make up culture and these same characteristics, in addition to individualized characteristics, are what make us diverse.  

My Family Culture

If I were given the option of bringing 3 personal items with me I would bring a picture of my Great-Grandmother Armathia Cousar Roper, a copy of my maternal grandmothers Bachelor's Degree, and a Bible.

The picture of my great grandmother is sentimental because she raised my twin and I. She is mainly responsible for setting the foundation for my life. She instilled so many values into me. My maternal grandmother's Bachelor degree, from North Carolina A & T University , is important because she was the first person in our family to receive a college education. My grandmother instilled the importance of an education in her children (my mom and her 5 siblings), which my mom instilled in my my twin and me. Education is an important part of our family culture. The Bible signifies  the importance of having a personal relationship with God. Faith is an important part of our family culture as well.

If I were informed that I would have to give up two items I would feel upset, sad, and confused. All three of these items are significant to who I am and a significant part of my family culture. I would not know which items I would give up. I would be hurt and possibly refuse to give them up.

This assignment has allowed me to reflect on what is important in my family and in my life. Without these influences in my life, I honestly do not know where I would be or what type of person I would be. I'm truly grateful!