Microagressions

This week I various kinds of microgressions. The ones that stuck out most to me were the ones that were geared to a group of young gay men that were shopping at the local grocery store. This I thought was really mean, because being gay is just one aspect of a person. It dose not make that person vile. I felt the remarks that were made by some heterosexual males were mean and uncalled for. As I listened to their rude remarks, I just couldn't help but to think what if that was my child. I would be hurt to know that people dislike my child because of  his or her sexual preference. Sexual preferences is just an itty bitty part of who a person is, when discriminating or showing biases to others, some people are so quick to pick out that one thing that does not fit into society's standards, that they seem to totally miss out on getting to know just how amazing that person really is.

This week's observation has continued to show me just how people are so quick to discriminate and stereotype others. Instead of getting to know people for who they really are, people now a days tend to focus more on the flaws or the shortcomings of people. Exploiting them, because they are different than the dominant culture. I feel that if this country is to continue to progress in the area of civil rights for all, the people that live in this great country will have to look pass those things that do not align with the criterial of the dominant culture and accept the fact that different is refreshing and that it can be good all at the same time. Thinking outside of the box can open up a world of discovery and enlightenment.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This week I asked some of my friends and co-workers for their definition of culture and diversity. One of my friends gave this definition: " Culture is everything that I have learned, experienced, and been through through-out my life. This means the things that my parents and other close relatives have taught me as a child growing up. Also the things that I have learned from peers in my community, schools, and work. Their definition of diversity is " All people of different colors, gender, religions, living together in this world." - close family friend.

Another friend of the family which is Caucasian gave her definition of culture in which she believes that culture are all the things that make you who you are. It is learned from family, friends, and society. Her definition of diversity was different people of various backgrounds living together in unity.

Their responses relate to the information that I have been learning in my current course work. It relates to it, because as I have been learning, culture and diversity are all those things that we have learned since birth. Culture basically refers to how people live and survive. While diversity as I have been learning in my course work relates to the race, soci-economic status, sexual orientation, religion, and even educationals backgrounds.

Though, their definitions touched on some of the ideals that have been discussed through my course work, their definitions omitted some concepts. Such concepts that have been omitted are sexual orientations and social class. These two concepts are very important to both culture and diversity. It's important, because as other cultures try to find their place in this big world; they are still having to assimilate to the dominant culture who has the power.

As I thought about the defintions of culture and diversity given by my friends, it amazing to see how others view culture and diversity. I just think that each person sees it from their own perspective according to how they have been affected by it. I also so think that many people do not consciously think about the two terms. Most of the time it is not until some one is adversely affected by culture or diversity that they begin to think consciously about it.

Preserving My Family Culture

For this blog, I was asked to imagine that a major catastrophe has devastated the infrastructure of my county. My immediate family and I are being relocated to another country where we may possible have to stay permanently. On top of that we can only bring one change of clothes and three items that are representative of my family culture. As I reflected on this scenario, I really had to put some thought into the three items that I would select to take with me. But to be honest, only two of the items were hard for me to decide upon. The first item that was a must to take was my NIV Study Bible, this was a no brainer for me, because my faith in God will give me the hope that I will need to survive in the new country. Understanding that despite the current change that I am going through, knowing that God has a plan for me and my family will help me to survive. the next thing that I have chosen to take are family photos of the family that may be scattered in other countries. Reflecting on photos of my mom, dad, and siblings will enable me to remember and try to hold on to those things that I valued and believed so much in. The next thing that I would take is a hard one to decide.

Making the transition to the new country would be just absolutely life changing for me. Having to leave behind the life that I once knew to embark upon a uncertain journey will truely throw me for a loop. Not knowing what to expect is one of the scariest things and if when we arrive we're only allowed to keep one thing, I would have to say that the one thing that I would definitely keep is my bible. I will need my God to help me to substain and maintain in this new country. Using my bible I can read about the many others that God have lead into and out of foreign countries and how He has protected them along their jouney. Being that I am already leaving so much of my life behind, my faith is apart of my family culture that cannot and will not be left behind. In preparing for this blog, I really found myself in a deep thought about what I would do if this make-believe scenario ever became a reality. I found myself wondering about what would I really take, if this were the case. Of all the things I actually thought about taking my Bible was a for sure keeper.