Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week I went to a grocery store called "Farm Fresh" with my two year old son. While at the grocery store, I observed a woman with  four children buying a shopping cart full of groceries. A person behind me made a comment saying "I bet she gets a lot of food stamps." My question to myself was, "Did you hear the children call her Mom? What if the children are her step children, or her nieces and nephews? "What if she was  babysitting for a family?" Just because she had four children will her does not make her the mother or even on government assistance.  When the lady paid for her groceries, she used a debit card to buy the basket full of groceries. The person behind me stated, "Uh must be a military family then." The ironic thing about the entire incident was the person  who was behind me was the one using food stamps to buy her groceries.

When I think about the incident, it was sort of disrespectful to assume someone is on assistance because they have a lot of children. I felt embarrassed for the lady behind me, due to the fact that she was using food stamps herself. That's why as an individual, I do not judge people who needs government assistance because I once was on it. I am proud that I do not need to use it anymore because it shows the blessings that God has provided in my life. The woman who was in front of me smiled and walked off, which showed that she got the last laugh after all.

Based on my observation, the effects of stereotyping still exist, and in reality will never die. Stereotyping can ruin a person reputation, especially when you have no clue what a person is going through. Just because a person has a lot of children does not mean they are on government assistance or have a lot of fathers for each child. Assumptions is what hurt a lot of people emotionally because they feel like they are a target of peoples ignorance.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

My mother (Respiratory Therapist) "Diversity mean different and Culture mean belief and behavior."

My Fiancé (Nuclear Insulator) "Culture is something that has been around for many years. For example, race, environment. It is also something you were born into, believe in, and do everyday"

My bestfriend (Extension Assistant for SCSU): "Diversity is different group of people and culture is different backgrounds or nationalities."

When I reviewed the definition above, I realize, these definitions are based on their own belief what culture and diversity mean to them. It is how they view culture in their world versus how other people may perceive culture and diversity. When I look back, I remember the panelist in one of the video stating that culture can be how you dress, the way you eat, your personality and even the way your posture may be.


When thinking of other people definition of culture and diversity, it has influenced me to accept other people views on culture and diversity. It has taught me that not everyone will consider culture or diversity the same, but they may all be similar. I have my views on culture and diversity and my interviewees have their opinion on culture and diversity. All that matters is that we respect each other views and backgrounds.

My Family Cuture

          My family and I now have to move to another country due to a major catastrophe. I am delighted that my family is still with me because they are my heart and soul. I was told that I can only take three small items along with one change of clothes. The three items I chose to take with me is my cell phone, my charger and my iPad mini for son. I chose these items because I will be able to talk to my family members who survived the catastrophe and were sent to other countries and because my two year old son is attached to my iPad and I always want to make my son happy.

          If I arrived to the country and I was told that I had to give up two of the items and could only keep one, I would give up my charger and cell phone because my son is the most important thing and taking his iPad would hurt him deeply. The good thing about his iPad is we are able to face time family members, talk to them when the talk app, watch movies, listen to music, play games, and look at memorable pictures of our family.

        This topic has giving a different view on life. Before my son, I was self centered and didn't care about any one else, but as I look at the previous two paragraphs, I see that my son is very important to me. My son is my world and I would do anything for him. I am a family person and my family mean everything to me so being able to communicate with them means the world to me.  My great grandmother made sure that her children, grand children, great grand children and great great grand children were close so my family culture is to be a tight knit family.