I detected racial microaggression this week. I over heard someone tell a baby that she was cute to be as dark as she was. The first thing I said was, "why did you say that"? Of course she did not think she did anything wrong but I explained to her that she basically told that child that darker skinned children are not as beautiful as white and light skinned children. It bothered me to hear someone say something like this because I have experienced racial microaggression most of my life and I don't want anyone else, especially not a child, to go through this.
I realize more and more that discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes on people still exist. It made me want to be more aware of my surroundings and what is being said along with what I said. I am just as guilty as many other people when it comes to having stereotypes. I don't think I discriminate against anyone but I will focus more of my attention towards being a better more self-aware individual.

Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Perspectives on Diversity and Culture
For this assignment I contacted my aunt, my brother, and one of my co-workers. All of their definitions for culture were relatively the same: Culture is what you believe and what you are taught. Their definitions where similar as well. My aunt said it was what makes us unique. My brother said diversity is what makes the world more interesting because no two people are the same. My co-worker did not have a definition.
Some of the aspects of culture and diversity are included in their answers such as culture being ideas of what we are taught and that it makes us who we are. Also that diversity makes us unique and different from others.
I don't think other people's definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics. I have learned the meaning of the definitions on my own and have formed my own understanding of each one.
Some of the aspects of culture and diversity are included in their answers such as culture being ideas of what we are taught and that it makes us who we are. Also that diversity makes us unique and different from others.
I don't think other people's definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics. I have learned the meaning of the definitions on my own and have formed my own understanding of each one.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
My Family Culture
A description of the three items you would choose
The three items I would definitely take would be family pictures, CD player with CD's, and a comb!
How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you
I would explain to them that the pictures are of my family and they represent memories from my past that I do not want to forget. The CD play and CD's are for entertainment and they represent my culture and my interests. The comb is important as well because I like my hair to be neat, clean, and put together. Without a comb I would go insane.
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 be devastated if I had to give up any of my items. Each item represents me and what I am about. They are a part of me and what makes me unique. At the end of the day, if I really had to choose, I would always choose the photos because a picture is worth a thousand words and it is an eternal way to keep a memory alive.
Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,
From doing this exercise I realize how important my family and my culture are to me. Its not everyday that you are faced with the question of "if you had to choose, what would you choose".
The three items I would definitely take would be family pictures, CD player with CD's, and a comb!
How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you
I would explain to them that the pictures are of my family and they represent memories from my past that I do not want to forget. The CD play and CD's are for entertainment and they represent my culture and my interests. The comb is important as well because I like my hair to be neat, clean, and put together. Without a comb I would go insane.
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 be devastated if I had to give up any of my items. Each item represents me and what I am about. They are a part of me and what makes me unique. At the end of the day, if I really had to choose, I would always choose the photos because a picture is worth a thousand words and it is an eternal way to keep a memory alive.
Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,
From doing this exercise I realize how important my family and my culture are to me. Its not everyday that you are faced with the question of "if you had to choose, what would you choose".
Saturday, June 9, 2012
My Supports
In my life I have several
different supportive factors. I have my faith and religion, I have my family,
my friends, and I also have the support of some of my Colleagues. Each one
plays a different role in my life but it is all centered around my faith.
My family loves me unconditionally and will be there for me no matter what. My
colleagues support me while I work and during those difficult times when I am
on the clock. My faith and religion keeps me grounded.
There are many benefits to
having support. Where it is a person, place, thing, or idea, the support is
there no matter what goes on in your daily life. Your support is there to pick
you up when you fall, to hold you when you are scared, and to wipe away all
your tears when you are upset. The support system is there to celebrate your
successes and to help pick you up when you fail.
Without support, I don't know
where I would be. Prior to December 16, 2008, my most supportive influence was
my mother. Now, I am relying on a memory and prayer. She was always on my side
and believed strongly in me not matter what I did or what I was going through.
If she felt like I believed in whatever or whoever I was dealing with, she
supported me even if she did not completely agree with my choices. When
she died, she took the biggest piece of my heart with her. My family and
friends have attempted to fill the void in my life. Through it all my faith has
remained strong. Faith in God and the endless support I have received have
gotten me through so many rough patches in my life.
At this point in my life, I
feel like I still need more support. I am 26 and I still feel somewhat lost. My
faith is the only constant thing I have. Can will not change, disappear, or leave
me for any reason. It cannot be taken from me or altered to fit the mood of the
day. I need to feel loved, wanted, and needed. I have a job in which I am
needed, family that loves me, and friends who seem to want to in my presence. I
pray every day for my continued strength and support.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
My Connections to Play
Quotes
about play:
In our play we reveal what kind of people we are.
Ovid
Roman poet
43 BC–17 or 18 AD
Roman poet
43 BC–17 or 18 AD
Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.
Diane Ackerman
Contemporary American author
Contemporary American author
The true object of all human life is play.
G. K. Chesterton
British author
1874–1936
British author
1874–1936
Play gives children a chance to practice what they
are learning.
Fred Rogers
American television personality
1928–2003
American television personality
1928–2003
A child loves his play, not because it’s easy,
but because it’s hard.
Benjamin Spock
American pediatrician
1903–1998
American pediatrician
1903–1998
Play fosters belonging and encourages cooperation.
Stuart Brown, MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist
Contemporary American psychiatrist
Play has been man’s most useful preoccupation.
Frank Caplan
Contemporary American author
1911–1988
Items that were
essential to my play as a young child
Others' roles in my play as a young child
When I was growing up, play was not
an option but was mandatory. One of my aunts would take control of the
televisions so our only choice was to go outside and play. There were 6 of us
grandchildren at the time (now there is seven of us). We would ride bikes, make
up crazy games, or play ball. We would also play video games in the back room.
We had so much much fun growing up.
My mother and grandfather encouraged
us to play, which is the opposite of one of my aunts, she gave of absolutely NO
choices. They would come out and either play with us or watch us. It was so
much fun.
Play then and now
There is definitely a difference
between the play that occurred when I was young and the play that occurs
now. A lot of the kids these days do not seem to know how to play. They
are more into watching television or playing video games. They do not
seem to have an imagination either. We knew how to turn scraps of wood and old
clothes baskets into usual items. A lot of the children I work with see items
for whatever they are and not what they could be. I get down on the floor and
try to encourage them to play but, honestly, how do you teach children how to
play when they are being watched and entertained by electronics?
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