Wk4 Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

The example of a microaggession that I am sharing is as follows:

   I overheard another teacher working with some of the older kids during our academic time at the summer camp, I am working at for the summer. The teacher said to the African-American male student, that "If you do not tighten up and pay attention and quit letting your behavior get in your way, then you are going to be another African-American male that has a label."

   When I heard this, I had to stop what I was doing with my group and walk out into the hallway. I thought to myself, how is this child that is going to the 5th grade, know anything about African-American males and how society labels them. This student is going to the 5th grade, however he has a documented learning disability, so maybe some of his behavior is related to his disability.

It made me take a step back and look at myself and some of my actions. I have learned that even in the 21st century, our society still has issues with discrimination, prejudice and/or stereotypes.

WK 3: Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

   After speaking to three different individuals one of a different gender, one of a different race and one of a different age. There were a few aspects that were the same as in the readings from this week like: race, practices, languages and ways of life. They all three defined culture and diversity as: different races, traditions, practices, languages, and the ways others live. The individual of a different age which is a bit younger mentioned holidays and celebrations as culture.
    Some aspects omitted economics, religion, parenting patterns,  the way we eat, sleep, talk, care for the sick, relate to another, think about work, and life styles (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010).
    I have been influenced by other peoples definitions  to be open to all people and to ask questions, so that I can learn about others and how they ways of life.    
   All in all, in my judgment, I feel that we are all the same, yet different in our own ways.
    

Wk2: 6164-2: My Family Culture

The three items that I would choose to take would be:
1). A photograph of my family
2). My Bible
3). My Wedding Ring
The explanation to others of what each item means to me:
The photo shows my husband, our two sons and myself. My Bible is words of inspiration and during a catastrophe words of inspiration will be needed. My wedding ring is dear to me, it represents the bond that my husband and I have made to each other.
 My feelings on having to give up two of the three items :
I would be upset, but I would have to do whatever is asked of me to make the situation as positive as it could be. I would choose to keep my Bible, I think that being able to read the word through out this terrible time, would be very helpful. The photograph means alot, but I have the memory of my husband and children embedded in my mind and the ring is a representation of a bond and it has sentimental meaning, but it can be replaced.
Any insights that I have gained as a result of this exercise:
As I thought about the three items I would take, it was kind of difficult to decide on what to take and why. I tried to take things that were small enough to carry, but I wanted things that had some type of meaning or represented my life, my family and how all of those things are possible.