Say WHAT?!!!!

Last week a very good friend of mine posted on her Facebook page the following message, “....my baby got called a n*gger today at school....I hurt because I can't take away his hurt :-( Some people's kids...” Karla Hall, 2012). She received 92 comments about her post.

The comments were very interesting and insightful for me to understand the ramifications that word has on the African American communities. I felt so bad for my friend Karla and her little man. Karla stated, in one of her comments, that she remembers the day she was called that, as a child, down to what she was wearing.  As a White middle-class citizen, there is nothing in my life that can ever compare to sentiment expressed on Karla’s status.  The teacher’s reaction was to tell the other child not to say that.  I believe that was a very minimal reaction.  The teacher needs to do some educating in cultural respect and tolerance.  I felt do helpless as I cannot relate to the situation or give her guidance or suggestion to help her through the pain.  I did tell her she should contact the school to see if they are going to implement any special curriculum to help the children learns how words can hurt, and any other relevant topics which could help prevent such behavior in the future.  Parents and the teachers need to take action to ensure the children are educated and enlighten, on the topic of cultural respect.

Microagression?

This week was a very crazy week. I was in charge of organizing a  Training Day for our staff. I had arranged a mini-conference with 7 classes that staff rotated through. The Training Day was Friday 25 May, 2012. It was an amazing success. I think as we going through the daily hassle and bustle of life we don't reflect enough on the intricacies of the conversations which take place throughout the day. I tried to listen for any microaggression but to my knowledge I did not witness any. The only situation which I feel came close was during a class I was teaching. The audience was diverse in many ways. The one aspect I was to describe is educational microaggression. Even though it is not addressed in the course reading I felt it is pertinent. One of the participants is fresh out of college. She had an Education Degree and although she was not the only employee with a degree she is the only one who knew who Piaget or Erikson were. One staff member made a comment about being a "Smarty Pants". I felt that Christy was bothered by the remark, and stopped answering questions. I think terms like "nerd", "brown nose", and "blondie" could all be considered microagression.

Defining Culture and Diversity

The feedback I received about how different people defined culture and diversity, had one common thread.  At first most people said, “I don’t know.” “That is a hard question to answer.”  Several people said let me think about it and get back to you.  Once people did provide responses, there was a clear connection between what I have learned and the definitions I received.  Everyone said it was a way of life.  My friend Carmen Lee is Puerto Rican. At first she couldn’t provide a definition. But then she said “Culture is a combination of what makes me different. I don’t know how to explain it.  15 years ago my culture was totally different because the places I have been and the things I have done have influences who I am today.” She went on to define diversity by simple stating, “Diversity is all the cultures of the community. It is like everyone meshes together.”  Another friend was very eloquent when she defined culture and diversity. Heather Lassiter responded, “Culture would be everything that defines a group of people- from the way they act to what they hold dear. Diversity is how this differs among people, from individually to regionally, racially, etc.”  My daughter, Katrina who is 19, could not define either one. I was shocked. She gave me examples but couldn’t define either one.

I think that Carmen Lee’s answer was more personal and individualized.  While Heather’s answer more broad and inclusive of all.  I think the aspect which was omitted from both of the answered was who influences culture. They do not talk about such things as their parents, grandparents, or family lineage.  How is culture created?

After reflecting on the responses I received, I felt that culture and diversity are not topics discussed often.  The initial response of everyone was puzzlement.  I approached friends from various ethnic backgrounds in the hopes of receiving diverse responses.  Carmen Lee is from Puerto Rico, while Heather is Caucasian, Yolanda is African American, and Maria is Hispanic.

People have a difficult time putting definitions into words. They can give examples but feel bemused by the subject.

Catastrophe

What three items would I take with me, if I had to leave my country and home forever?

My family cookbook: My cousin has created a cookbook, where he solicited input from everyone to submit favorite recipes.  The cookbook is amazing; it has the recipe for my Aunt Delima’s Christmas goodies, which she made every year during the Holidays. She would deliver a box full of cookies and treats a few weeks before Christmas every year.   She passed away about six years ago and her recipes live on.  My mother submitted a recipe for her Chicken and Dumplings.  My children will always have those recipes and my family will live on because of them.

The importance of this cookbook is the connection it gives me to my ancestors.

My external hard drive for my computer: I have pictures, medical records, important documents, resumes, account information, an address book, music, books (including the Bible), and a great deal of useful information stored on it.

This hard drive holds the information which defines who I am, where I have been and where I am going. It is the locket of my life.

My Laptop: My laptop can keep me connected to others and help me learn about my new location, including customs, the culture, and language. I can utilize the translator to help me communicate my needs and begin to understand various aspects of life in my new surroundings.

This laptop provides me with a means to connect with the past, learn about the present and plan for the future.

If I had to give up all but one of those Items I would keep the external hard drive. Even though my Family Cookbook is a connection with my ancestors and has strains from use from when I recreated my mom’s Chicken and Dumplings. I also have the cookbook saved on my external hard drive.  Eventually I would be able to have access to a computer to connect with others.  But, the information stored on my external hard drive is irreplaceable.

I am very proud of my culture, my past and where I am going. I assimilate into other cultures easily as I have live in Turkey and England. I have traveled throughout Europe and understand how to function and get around with little assistance.  I embrace different cultures, respect customs and traditions and face all challenges as a learning experience.