Practicing Awareness of Microaggression

     As an undergraduate student, I wanted to pledge to become a member of a Greek sorority.  I observed all sororities on the campus.  I was impressed with one in particular.  I called my mom and told her of my intentions.  She replied to me, “You won’t be accepted if you are not lighter than a brown paper bag.” She explained to me that I needed to get a paper bag and compare my skin color to the bag to determine if my skin color will allow me to meet that requirement.  I could not believe what I was hearing.  I said to myself, “Surely times have changed.” I went to the “Rush” for that sorority and I noticed that all of the ladies had light skin color and all of the perspective pledgees were of the same characteristic.  I left the Rush and asked one of my friends who had a dark complexion how did she become a member.  She laughed and said my mom is a light skinned  member and sits on the national board.  I called my mom and told her that she was correct.  This experience was awful.  I asked myself what in the world does the color of my skin have to do with me being in a club.   I felt marginalized especially because I was discriminated by own people.    From that experience, I chose not to pledge at all. This was an example of a microassault, strictly on the basis of my skin complexion.  This incident occurred in 1984.  Can you answer this question for me? Here are pictures of my niece and my son?   Do you think they would be able to join the sorority if they were both female? Use the brown paper bag as a guide.

     Additionally, I have noticed this sorority is more accepting of darker complexions now a days.  Good for them!

     Then I learned a hard lesson about discrimination.  Do you realize that certain groups discriminate within the group?  My thoughts were I tried to join a black female sorority and was discriminated against because I was too black to join.  Go figure?

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Amanda

What is your definition of culture?

Culture is how people do things.  For example, the way a person wears their hair, body language, foods and holidays.

What is your definition of diversity?

When I think of diversity, I think of how people are different.  For example, how people are different.

Holly

What is your definition of culture?

Culture is an appreciation of fine arts, humanities

What is your definition of diversity?

Diversity in the classroom means students from different walks of life. Like race, ethnicity, sexual orientation etc.

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Ian

What is your definition of culture?

Culture has to do with where a person is from, what values they have and uphold, how they judge the world and how they raise their kids.

What is your definition of diversity?

Diversity is different and unique.

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      According to the authors of the text, “Culture refers to how particular groups live.  It is the way we eat, sleep, talk, play, care for the sick, relate to one another, think about work, arrange our kitchens and remember the dead” (Derman-Sparks, Edwards, 2011). I think Amanda’s definition came very close to what the authors say culture is because she said “It is how people do things.” Ian assumed “it was the way people raise their kids.” Comparably, I think each participant in this questionnaire expressed valid points concerning culture.   No one spoke of deep and surface culture.  From my readings, I gather surface culture is what I can observe whereas deep culture has a root which is not easily observed. 

     It appears  all participants said diversity had to do with different.  One person added unique as well.  I  thought that was a good analogy because uniqueness does have its roots in diversity.   Holly gave an example of sexual orientation, I had not thought of using this as an example of diversity. 

     From this short questionnaire, if I were to solicit more responses to the questions, I probably would have a greater variety or varying degrees of this definitions.   Personally, I have noted that cultural diversity in Language in public places.  I can remember a time when English was the  ONLY  Language printed for public views.  Now recognizing the inflow of many cultures into the United States, I observe a multitude of Language printed for Americans to view.  For example, I was in the Social Security Office, the Department of Motor Vehicle and the Office of Family Services offices and noted Spanish, French and Vietnamese Languages printed on materials.  Look how far the U. S. has come without saying, look how far we still need to go.   

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J. (2010).  Anti-Bias for Young Children and Ourselves. National Association for the Education of Young Children: Washington, DC.

My Family Culture

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

     A series of Tsunamis have completely devastated the infrastructure of the United States of America.  In an effort to assist the country, other countries are willing to accept refugees. 

     My children and I have barely survived the devastating events.  What will do? Where will we go? Which country will accept us? Permanent residents in another country, how will we survive? Refugees, is that what we are now called? My mind is racing a million miles a minute! I have been given the daunting task of packing one set of clothing for each us.  Additionally, I am able to take only three small items with us.  What we take?

     For starters, we will take a bible.  God has given us his word to live and grow by.  We will use the Word to guide us through a daily devotional study.  If allowed, we will share our faith.  We will memorize scripture to teach and comfort us when we think that we are unable to make it through this catastrophe.  We will use the teachings of the disciples to teach us how to live, love and grow. 

     Secondly, I will take a family portrait of us to help remember what was normal to us.  We will collectively reminisce of the time we took the picture, where we were going and why we were going there.  This is a picture of me and my twin boys.  We were about to go to church to worship God.  After the service, we went to Chucky Cheese’s for an outing.  Just a regular Sunday filled with sharing and fun times—a sense of normalcy.

     Finally, we would take my boys’ favorite book “Five Little Monkey’s!” I read this book so much to my boys when they were infants by the time they were able to speak; they were reading it to me as my night time story.  Now at four years old, they find high frequency words in the book.  Literacy has been a part of their lives early. 

     As we approach the border of the country—we cannot even identify where we are—we overhear others saying that we cannot bring anything but our clothing and one personal item.  I panic! I hurriedly prepare myself to leave everything but the picture but then I have lost it in all of the rush.  The reason I chose to leave the other items are because I believe we have enough scripture in our hearts for us to remain faithful to God.  Leaving the boys book would be okay to leave because we have memorized it anyway.

     From this activity, I have learned that to be blessed with a loving family would be all that I need to make a new start in a foreign land.  Things are nice but things can always be replaced.  Our love for each other will help us through the tough times and the good times.

Yolonda Honore'
Houma, LA
Special Education Teacher,
2nd - 6th Grades