Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week I have observed a mass amount of microaggression towards Marshawn ynch who is a running back for the Seattle Seahawks.  Marshawn Lynch clearly avoids the media and this week to avoid being fined he showed up for Media day and stated "I am here so I won't get fined" (ESPN, 2015).  I had friends that posted it’s him why they hate the Seahawks.  I read responses that he is a loser, a weirdo, a jackhole, he talks like an idiot, and hes's hood!  This picture has been floating around Facebook.  This displays a once true character of being ignorant.  The man is paid to play foot and he is one of the best running back out there.

This was my response to the post "It's a form of microaggresion (look the word up) the ignorance that he is a jackhole, loser, idiot cause he speaks differently than those of you who consider yourself apart of the dominant culture. What is hood? That is a judgment based on classism. At the end of the day he makes more money than any of you could possibly dream on. It's ignorant to say it's best he not speak. Why should he be judged because he grew up in a a different environment? Unfortunately this is a society that has been built on the enslavement, internment, taking land from others and trail of terrors. It's subtle unintentional and well intended assaults that damage people's self-esteem. He doesn't need you or anyone else informing him of his difference. He wakes up each and every day knowing. Let the man play ball. That's what he's good at and that's what people break their banks to watch him do. If Garth Brooks didn't wanna give interviews no one would give a *%#$ (edited for professional purposes.  LOL)!!!

I am angry that people just can't stop being judgmental of others.  Every day in the media there is judgement about someone especially our President and his family.  It infuriates me.  It makes me sick often times.  At times it cause me to be racist and say mean things back and group a group of those that are causing microaggressions.  Its an experience that I don't want to have to relive and relive because of stupidity and the lack of those claiming "I didn't know".  I face the fact that although .  Dr. Martin Luther King stated "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” it will never be a reality (Nobleprize.org, 2015). 

ESPN. (2015).  Lynch: I am here so I won't get Fined.  Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/12237417/marshawn-lynch-seattle-seahawks-uses-same-answer-repetition-super-bowl-media-day-here-get-fined

Nobelprize.org. (2015).  I have a Dream.  Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-wall.html

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Culture is the customs and social norms of people or a community.

Diversity reflects the percentage and ethnic makeup of participants in a group, organization or community.  





My definition of culture is one's traditions, beliefs and values.  What a community practices and how they live.  For me its the value of education, responsibility, a good work ethic and Christianity.  

Diversity is acknowledging and embracing differences.  For me it's accepting and liking that a community is stronger and better with diversity. If everyone is the same you lose creativity and individuality.  



Culture is a way of living that is nourished by the environment that people live in.  Culture can involve unwritten or written policies.  For example there can be a west or east coast culture.  Culture isn't always particular to race as many people think.  Advertising and media has adopted a hip/hop and urban culture.

Diversity is a mixture of differences based on certain factors such as race, religion, gender, ect. Diversity isn't changed by the environment.  It helps enrich it.  




There are so many definitions of what is perceived to be culture and what is diversity.  I feel that the responses I received were all correct.  I appreciate the statement that said diversity is to embrace.  So many times I have seen the word "tolerate" when reading about diversity.  Tolerate means to accept something that you may not like.  It has negative connotations.  Embracing is learning about one another and sharing in the same process.  

No one stated that each family has their own individual culture and I feel that is very important when working with families as no two families are alike.  This past week my daughter asked me if all black people like watermelon.  I asked her if she likes watermelon.  She stated no.  I asked her if she was black and she said yes.  I asked her if I buy watermelon she said no.  Well Cailin, there is your answer.  She then proceeded to tell me she has watched a video on The Vine and it was portraying stereotypes based on race and what people eat.  This was an educational opportunity to share with her about stereotypes and how you can not believe what you see in the media.  I also shared that this type of media is not nice.  This class has really opened discussions that I am having with my daughter.  In  one of the definitions above for culture it stated the media has really opened a new culture.  Its so very much true as it has a direct influence on children and adults.  

I also really like the statement that diversity enriches the environment.  Imagine everyone being the same???  A environment in which differences are valued truly makes a difference,  Everyone is able to bring their unique and individual differences and share with one another.  Each one of my staff is very different.  They each bring a diverse amount of knowledge and skills to make our team.  It works because they are able to share their knowledge and problem solve to help families become more successful.  



       

My Family Culture

I had real hard time trying to come up with three items that I would want to take if being evacuated to another country.... I posted the questions on Facebook just to get a feel of what my friends might post.  Unfortunately, they were of little help.  

What I finally decided upon was that I would want to take the cross necklace that I wear almost daily.  Being a Christian is apart of my family culture.  Other than this item I wouldn't have anything else that I really would want to take as material items would not matter since I have my family and memories with me.  

However, I would want to take some sort of weapon or item that could be used as a weapon if need be.  Gotta be able to protect the family....  

Depending on the country and what my access to electricity would be would help decide if I took my cell phone as it has music and contact list on it.  May not be very significant if moved to a country that has no cell towers or electricity. The cell phone is just apart of a subculture of electronics but not related to my ethnicity 

I am a make-up queen and I figured I could easily make make-up with spices and berries :) 

If I had to choose which item I would keep I would definitely keep my cross.  I wouldn't have any emotions toward the other material items that don't have a significance in my life. Having my cross would provide me comfort and reminder that my God is with me at all times.   

I did learn from asking others that were Native American what would they bring and there were ceremonial items that would be significant to them.  Most of my friends didn't come up with any cultural items that they would want to bring.  It was a exercise that really causes you to think.  At first I was thinking about items related to race but then realized that I need not think that way.  Being a Christian is apart of the culture in which I grew up in and that is a part of me that can not be taken away.