Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

My job had a photo shoot for all the employees children pictures to be displayed in the offices. My daughter and I arrived at my office. The photographer was trying to get my daughter to have various frames so he looked at me and said " What is your name?" I replied, Brittney. Then the photographer said " Rose-Malia, look at Ms. Brittney." The conference room became silent, and my program assistant left to tell the director. I replied to the photographer, "Ms. Brittney, I am her mother, her birth mother. Yes, the photographer had egg on his face.
The microaggression in this situation was that the photographer implied that I was not the mother based on what my daughter and I look like.
Learning from this situation you do not want to assume anything about people. Society accepted the fact that Caucasians can adopt black children or have children from a black man, but when the "black " woman has a child by the white man it's not her child. Is this the dominant culture taking its course?
My sister explained to me that people do not know what I looked like as a child therefore do not be upset, mad, or angry when people make comments. The best thing is now my daughter likes to yell THAT'S MY MOMMY!

                                                 My husband, daughter, and I at Sesame Street Live .

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I discussed diversity and culture with my cousin in who was born and raised in Hawaii but nationality is Asian, a childhood friend who is Africa American and raised in NYC, and my mother.

My cousin in law stated "Culture is traditions beliefs, language, religion, clothing, etc For example: my Filipino family ,beinging to particular religion, clubs( cars, book, cooking). Diversity is a variety.

Childhood Friend stated : " Culture is the traditions, norms, beliefs, and expressions of a group of people (visual, musical, artistic, etc...). Diversity is the acceptance and/or tolerance of multiple cultures.

 Mother stated : Culture is what define us such as religion, the way we live, food we eat. Culture is connection to everything we do in life.  Culture define us who we are as a people.  Diversity is all around the universe. 
 The aspect of culture  that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received are how culture is language, the beliefs we have, food, clothing, and religion.  The definition of diversity will always vary because each person will have different views on the term diversity .
The aspect that has been omitted I think is that society does not want to admit that the world is becoming more diverse and their are issues of stereotype that America does not want to discuss. If society discuss the elephant in the room conversations then people/or persons can be labeled a racist.
I agree with all the statements about culture, but the diversity statements  allowed me to think outside the box and have another view on the term.
 

MY FAMILY CULTURE

The three small items I would bring of my family culture if of a catastrophic event would be the following:

Holy Water- because of my faith I was taught that when we pray, use the holy water to protect me and everything. Sprinkle a little holy water as my Nana would say.

Photos- because every moment is a Kodak moment. Pictures captures the memories of the good times my family and friends have together.  Pictures speak a thousands words...

Radio- listening/dancing to music makes my family feel happy. We are a musical family that always express love and emotions through our music. 


If I were told I have to give up two of the items I would bring to another country because of this catastrophic event and I could only have one item to take, it will be the pictures. Pictures reminds me of the joyous, wonderful events that took place and with the Alzheimer's disease my  elders  endure I hope the pictures will forever restore the memories. 

This assignment allows me to continue the values and traditions that was taught to me as a child and now I am able to teach my daughter. Also, learning about other cultures to know and understand them I am able embrace new cultures too.

Perspective Diversity, and Equity

New course, new start.
Last month was a challenge.
I look forward to learn more about diversity and equity in ECE field and to learn from my colleagues.

Thank you,
Brittney