This week we are learning about different types of microaggressions. This has been really interesting to me because I have never taken a sociology course and all of this information is new to me. When thinking about microaggressions, one situation that I experienced comes to mind.
My friend Dazell, who is an African American female, was hanging out with myself and some of my friends, who happen to be Caucasian, at a pub. The guys that were there started talking about classic rock music and Dazell mentioned that she loves Led Zeppelin. One of the guys said "wow, I didn't realize you guys listen to rock music. Do you not listen to rap?" I saw the look that immediately came over Dazell and the situation became very awkward. She played it off, laughed, and said that she pretty much listens to all kinds of music. I could tell though, just by knowing her, that she was offended. I felt embarrassed for the guy that made this comment because it was, to me, an ignorant comment. I also felt bad for Dazell because she was being stereotyped and not looked at as just a human but a race. This situation is an example of a microaggression.
I think that by learning about microaggressions we can learn to become more aware of them. As a professional in the early childhood field I am constantly in close contact with children and families from different backgrounds and cultures. It's important to be aware of microaggressions and be sensitive to other people's cultures. We have to remember to think before we speak because our words can truly hurt others, and often times, without us realizing it.
3.22.2014
Perspectives on Diversity and Culture
This week I asked three people to give me their definition of culture and diversity. While some people chose to elaborate more than others, I feel that all three answers are correct and are part of what makes up culture and diversity.
I first asked my mom, Traci. Her definition of culture - Different practices, beliefs, morales, and ethics that make up someone's social network. It includes mannerisms, the way people look at things, and their beliefs.
Her definition of diversity - A collection of different people from all different backgrounds and their cultures.
Next I asked my best friend, Amber. Her definition of culture - The way that we live in our personal society.
Her definition of diversity - Different types of people living in the same society, including races, religions, and sexual preference.
Lastly I asked my co-worker Dazell. Her definition of culture - Someone's race, religion, language, family unit, food preference, child rearing style, and opinions. It's basically everything that makes up a persons life - what they believe in and how they do things.
Her definition of diversity - Different people and their cultures living in the same place. Most obviously their race and language but it goes deeper than that to include all of the things that make up their culture.
My personal definition of culture, from all of my previous studies and the information learned thus far in this course, is - Everything that makes up who a person is. Their beliefs, way of life, and family structure. It can be as simple as food and as complex as language and parenting styles.
My personal definition of diversity - Different people (races, religions, gender) and their specific cultures living and collaborating in one society.
Looking at the definitions that my family and friends provided, I think that everyone's definition is pretty much in line with mine. For example, my mom's definitions of both culture and diversity contain the same information as mine, it's just worded differently.
Looking at all of the answers as a whole, I don't feel that any information has been omitted. If I'm looking at individual definitions then I feel that Amber's is very vague and could be elaborated on a bit. She didn't mention all of the unique things that a culture entails such as a person's beliefs and practices or their unique views.
Evaluating other people's definitions of culture and diversity has helped to influence my own understanding by reminding me that the concepts are very broad topics. Everyone has different opinions on what culture is and what diversity is, making it almost impossible to be right or wrong. I think it's important to remember that some understand the concepts of culture and diversity more than others and that we should take the time to accept and even appreciate other people's way of life. We can learn so much from each other and the world would really be a much better place if everyone was more understanding and accepting of everyone's different culture.
I first asked my mom, Traci. Her definition of culture - Different practices, beliefs, morales, and ethics that make up someone's social network. It includes mannerisms, the way people look at things, and their beliefs.
Her definition of diversity - A collection of different people from all different backgrounds and their cultures.
Next I asked my best friend, Amber. Her definition of culture - The way that we live in our personal society.
Her definition of diversity - Different types of people living in the same society, including races, religions, and sexual preference.
Lastly I asked my co-worker Dazell. Her definition of culture - Someone's race, religion, language, family unit, food preference, child rearing style, and opinions. It's basically everything that makes up a persons life - what they believe in and how they do things.
Her definition of diversity - Different people and their cultures living in the same place. Most obviously their race and language but it goes deeper than that to include all of the things that make up their culture.
My personal definition of culture, from all of my previous studies and the information learned thus far in this course, is - Everything that makes up who a person is. Their beliefs, way of life, and family structure. It can be as simple as food and as complex as language and parenting styles.
My personal definition of diversity - Different people (races, religions, gender) and their specific cultures living and collaborating in one society.
Looking at the definitions that my family and friends provided, I think that everyone's definition is pretty much in line with mine. For example, my mom's definitions of both culture and diversity contain the same information as mine, it's just worded differently.
Looking at all of the answers as a whole, I don't feel that any information has been omitted. If I'm looking at individual definitions then I feel that Amber's is very vague and could be elaborated on a bit. She didn't mention all of the unique things that a culture entails such as a person's beliefs and practices or their unique views.
Evaluating other people's definitions of culture and diversity has helped to influence my own understanding by reminding me that the concepts are very broad topics. Everyone has different opinions on what culture is and what diversity is, making it almost impossible to be right or wrong. I think it's important to remember that some understand the concepts of culture and diversity more than others and that we should take the time to accept and even appreciate other people's way of life. We can learn so much from each other and the world would really be a much better place if everyone was more understanding and accepting of everyone's different culture.
3.15.2014
My Family Culture
The objective this week is to imagine ourselves in a situation where we must evacuate to another country and can only take along three small items that are important to us, things that we hold dear and that represent our family culture.
For this assignment I am going to assume that since I am permanently moving, that I can take my husband and dogs with me, since they are my family. Aside from them, the first item that I would pack to take with me is a photo album that I created with pictures of my wedding in Jamaica and my reception back home in NC. This photo book is important to me because the pictures are of the happiest day of my life. Looking at the photos bring back so many happy memories and have pictures of my entire family and all of my friends.
The second item that I would choose to bring along with me is an afghan that was crocheted by my grandma. I live in the south so naturally I have afghans from everyone all over my house. My favorite though is the one that my grandma made for me as a high school graduation gift. She wanted me to have a little piece of home when I went off to college and I love it so much. It reminds me of how loved I am by my family and how lucky I am to have them.
The third item that I would bring is a cookbook that was given to me, by my mom, as a wedding gift. She had everyone in the family write down recipes on recipe cards and created this awesome, home made cook book. The book contains some of my grandma's, great grandma's, and great, great grandma's secret recipes along with some of my moms favorites. I use it every time I want to make a special meal, dessert, or potluck recipe.
If upon arrival to my new country I was told that I could only keep one item and had to give the other two away I would be very upset. Each one of these items is so special to me and represents my family culture, my roots. I can't imagine my life without these things and have seen, through this assignment, how much they really mean to me and that I need to remember to never take things for granted. As I sign off from this blog post, I will be calling my grandma just to tell her that I love her! :)
For this assignment I am going to assume that since I am permanently moving, that I can take my husband and dogs with me, since they are my family. Aside from them, the first item that I would pack to take with me is a photo album that I created with pictures of my wedding in Jamaica and my reception back home in NC. This photo book is important to me because the pictures are of the happiest day of my life. Looking at the photos bring back so many happy memories and have pictures of my entire family and all of my friends.
The second item that I would choose to bring along with me is an afghan that was crocheted by my grandma. I live in the south so naturally I have afghans from everyone all over my house. My favorite though is the one that my grandma made for me as a high school graduation gift. She wanted me to have a little piece of home when I went off to college and I love it so much. It reminds me of how loved I am by my family and how lucky I am to have them.
The third item that I would bring is a cookbook that was given to me, by my mom, as a wedding gift. She had everyone in the family write down recipes on recipe cards and created this awesome, home made cook book. The book contains some of my grandma's, great grandma's, and great, great grandma's secret recipes along with some of my moms favorites. I use it every time I want to make a special meal, dessert, or potluck recipe.
If upon arrival to my new country I was told that I could only keep one item and had to give the other two away I would be very upset. Each one of these items is so special to me and represents my family culture, my roots. I can't imagine my life without these things and have seen, through this assignment, how much they really mean to me and that I need to remember to never take things for granted. As I sign off from this blog post, I will be calling my grandma just to tell her that I love her! :)
3.02.2014
When I think of research...
Over the course of the last eight weeks, I have learned a lot about research, more specifically, all that it entails. I have learned about the different types of research, different methods to collect data, and how to ensure that my research is valid. I don't think that I really understood all that must take place in order to conduct a study.
Developing a research simulation really put things into perspective for me, helping me understand the time and effort that goes into developing a research question, selecting a focus group, choosing a type or types of research to conduct, bringing in outside help if needed, choosing methods to collect data and analyzing it in a way that is not bias and valid. After all of that is done, you then have to write your findings and publish them. This makes me really appreciate research studies much more, knowing the hard work that it takes to get answers to our questions.
I think it's important for myself, as a early childhood professional, to understand the research process. This makes me more educated on my field of profession, helps me choose valid research to get knowledge from in the future, and allows me to have the knowledge to educate others in the future, which is very important as I am a preschool director and leader.
Developing a research simulation really put things into perspective for me, helping me understand the time and effort that goes into developing a research question, selecting a focus group, choosing a type or types of research to conduct, bringing in outside help if needed, choosing methods to collect data and analyzing it in a way that is not bias and valid. After all of that is done, you then have to write your findings and publish them. This makes me really appreciate research studies much more, knowing the hard work that it takes to get answers to our questions.
I think it's important for myself, as a early childhood professional, to understand the research process. This makes me more educated on my field of profession, helps me choose valid research to get knowledge from in the future, and allows me to have the knowledge to educate others in the future, which is very important as I am a preschool director and leader.
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