Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

• 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?

As a teacher working in an Early Head Start school, we work mainly with low-income families and i had one teacher who is from a temp agency who was coming out to help for just week. She stated,"why don't you get the summers off, you need it with these families and kids, and how is it working with low-income children".

I felt that this was a type of microinvalidation in which we means i need a break because i deal with low-income families and the kids are bad, all teachers need a break not just early head start teachers. She also made it seems as if low-income children are so much different from "normal children", all children have behavior, and developmental concerns.

• In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people

After hearing another teacher say that i feel that we should really consider who we are letting come into our early head start or even early childhood programs to work with our children because it still seems like more and more teachers are here just for a pay check and not for the kids. I feel that i have a genuine passion to work with low-income families and children because just like others they need an head start just like other children.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I spoke with my co-worker Meraj who is from India, she described her culture as very religious and family oriented. She stated that culture tells about the people and their historic backgrounds. Her family is forces education and having the women cover their top half of their body with the religious scarf. Meraj stated that diversity is one's race and is how they define who they are as people.  From listening to Meraj speak i having alot of respect for her culture, they believe in having the best for their children

Meraj's religious backgrounds is similar to the information i learned in this class which is culture relates to religion and spirituality. She didn't feel as though her culture was one of a dominant culture because they way her culture is raised she feels it doesn't have anything to do with government and policies formed.

From taking this class, i am realizing the everyone's culture is different and each person and different families celebrate culture in a variety of ways which brings even more meaningful experiences to their religion.

My family Culture

Only being allowed to bring three items to an unknown country would be hard for me since i am the type of person that brings at least three bags for a weekend trip. But since i have to choose, i would bring my wedding ring, a book, and my family photo album.

I would bring my wedding ring because this would give me great memories of my soon to be husband(June 30th) and the great time and the laughter that we shared, which would bring me up when i am feeling down.

I would bring a book, because reading a book would allow me not to become bored since i am unfamiliar with the country that i am in.

Lastly, i would a family photo album, bringing a family album would allow me to remember my family members and the great people who care and love me.