Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

According to Dr. Sue, microaggressions are: "everyday verbal, and nonverbal and environmental slights, snubs, or insights, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership" (Sue, D. 2011)

Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

- One microaggression that I can recall from another time that had me furious was; being in a department store and having two different scenarios occur. The first one was as soon as you enter a store there's always somebody to recognize you and welcome you to their store. I said hello and thank you. The store person proceeds to ask if there's anything specific I am looking for and can she be of any assistance to me? I again say thank you, but I am just looking. She says, okay if you shall need some help my name is  _______ and I will be happy to assist you. For the third time I say thank you, and walk away. About ten minutes into looking at clothes, I see these two children running in and out of clothes racks, being unruly, and not tended to by a responsible parent or caregiver. The woman (who I assumed was the mother) notices my facial expression and displeasure of the children being annoying. She then desperately and dramatically calls the kids at the top of her lungs and said "oh my gosh" you two children need to stay at my side where I can see you, do you want somebody to kidnap you!" As that situation died down, the same store representative came over and begins straightening up each pile of clothes that I walk next to.

Having felt so beyond disrespected, annoyed, and that my constitutional rights had been violated; I immediately left that store and within the next few days email a letter to the headquarters of my experience. A response was returned apologizing for feeling that I was being stalked and furthermore followed. Having proof that I was a very regular customer, they had just hired new employees and many complaints had been coming in about similar situations. In an effort to assure that never happens again, I was given some coupons (basically to shut me up); but also told that him the CEO himself would look into the situation. Something I doubt, but okay.

From both aspects of the mother thinking I was a kidnapper and the store clerk thinking I was there to steal merchandise; I felt humiliated, annoyed, disrespected, amongst a bunch of other feelings. I still often wonder what would I have had to done differently in body, language, or facial expressions ??? I also felt that something other than shelling out some coupons which is very easy to do and have somebody shut up for a few dollars of discount, should have been done. Even though I never received and never will because I do not know that lady, but I would have liked to ask the lady why it was that she thought I was a kidnapper? And honestly I would have appreciated an apology, because in all actuality what are you teaching your young children; that all black people are kidnappers??? That is totally unacceptable!



 In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people
- I noticed that most microaggressions in one way or another, all trickle back down to discrimination, prejudice, and other stereotypical traits. Realizing that we are about to go into 2014, we as a people need to let these things go and allow the world to be as it is without juding individuals, making jokes and teasing, or grouping people together because of the color of their skin. My question will always be the same until there is an answer to come from it; WHEN WILL IT ALL END????


Sue, D. Dr. (2011) Microaggressions in Everyday Life; Course Media

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

1st Person (Mother)
Definition of Culture- Some things that are handed down from generation to generation
Definition of Diversity- A mixture of people, places, and things. Not all of one thing.


2nd Person (Monique)
Definition of Culture- Culture is a set of value and norms learned from being a member of a specific ethnic member group or groups.
Definition of Diversity- Diversity is differences in people that are physically visible or in some cases invisible.


3rd Person (Rashaad)
Definition of Culture- Culture is your roots, upbringing, and values
Definition of Diversity


4th Person (Andrew)
Definition of Culture- Culture is your music, fashion, experiences, and traditions shred by a group of people.
Definition of Diversity- Differences listed in the things above.


5th Person (Dad)
Definition of Culture- Culture is one's background and the environment that they grew up in.
Definition of Diversity- Correlation of different ethnicities.

6th Person (Aaron)
Definition of Culture- Mark of people's growth in society, whether it be the; clothes food, religion. Basically the way of the people from the region.
Definition of Diversity- Differences between the cultures and the uniqueness of each individual one.

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

- A lot of the responses are very similar  with one another; however just worded differently. Some aspects that I've studied in the course are; religion, food, clothes, traditions, and values.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

- Some characteristics that weren't mentioned were; political views, education, or means of transportation,

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

- Thinking about other people's definitions of culture and diversity has really broadened my own thoughts. When you hear the words culture and diversity, most times you think of the general, basic, and vague traits; however, but when you actually give it some time to think about it you find deeper meanings. Even though clothing is a form of culture I have never thought about mentioning that; even more so it's a form of art as well!

My Family CUlture

A description of the three items you would choose

- The three things that I would take is a small photo album, the Bible, and family heirloom; such as pocket watch.

How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you

- I chose these three things because they are the most significant pieces of items, that hold the most cultural meaning to me.
 * The first item is a photo album. I chose this because it shows me exactly where I came from. It also shows pictures of family members both near and far. Each picture is worth a thousand of words, and depending who you ask or show the picture to; perhaps will grant you a different story.
 * The next item is my Bible. Being that I'll be taking to a country where culture is totally different than mine, I felt the need to have my religion and (Basic instructions before leaving earth) with me. Even though I have the Word in my heart, I may be able to share it with others and or use it to do studying on my own.
 * Lastly, I will be taking one piece of family heirloom; such as a pocket watch. The pocket watch that I have is one that has been passed down from 5 generations and I look forward to having it passed down to me as well. I can only imagine the stories and facts that I would be told; had the my actual ancestor still been here with me today. Passing artifacts down from one generation to the next just shares so much cultural background information.

Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you

- I would feel cheated. I was told previously that I could have three special items, and upon arrival directions were changed and now I could only have one. I would also feel alone, being that these three items gave me a sense of comfort and history as to who I am. The one item I would still keep is the pictures so I knew what my whole family looks like, remembering the good times and even the bad times.

Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,

- Family culture and diversity within the family is very important and will always be. I can say I'm blessed to have such a interesting family, that practices religious beliefs, in addition to cultural beliefs. It is also important to have sit downs with the older people of your family so they can tell you about the family history. The children can sit down and learn through puppet shows or singing songs. If I never knew or endured these type of things, I wouldn't know me or where I came from.



*Disclaimer, I'm not sure how the font changed midway through, but for some reason I can't get it to change back; please over look that. *