Micro-Agression Awareness

As I went about my week looking for micro-aggression, I never found  a true example of it as it was directed at another race or type of people.  I did however realize my own sarcastic remark about a friend.

While waiting for other church members to arrive for play rehearsal, we realized that none of us had a key to the building.  I then realized who might have a key and said,"Carrie has a key. Is she suppose to be here? That's right she is always late."  Even though this is a fact, many of us know this about her. I did not need to say it out loud.  Later on that night she did confess to us about always running late and is trying to get better at being on time. 

Looking back on that night she really wasn't that late. My friends and I did applaud her for trying harder to get to places on time.  I also realize she is a mom with two teenage daughters and a husband that might need a little more help getting ready to go places. So some of the times when she is late it is because of others in her family. 

Micro-aggression does happen but today while I was out shopping I did not witness any. I eavesdropped on conversation around me, paid attention to how store clerk treated people, and watch how people treated each other as the walked  by each other and waited in lines. Maybe it is the time of year that brings out the nice in all of us, but rude remarks are said about others and people ignored while in the mall and stores. It is too bad that this feeling can not be carried on for the whole year instead of this one time of year.        

I asked my husband the questions: his definition of culture is something past on to the next generation.  His definition of diversity is someone that is different than him.

His definition are very basic but he know that culture is relevant to each person and their family. What I see is being omitted is the part about how we can take on other cultures if we do not have a strong sense of our own culture.  His simple definition of diversity is right  on the money for me.  Because we are not all the same and even if we have the same color of skin, something will almost always set us about even in the tiniest way.

My husband definition of culture and diversity has not influenced my definition of the two topics. I however might use them to explain to others what they mean because of the simplicity of the answers, but when in a job interview I will use a more complex answer that goes in the greater depth.  And yes I have been asked my definition of diversity and culture in interviews lately.

Leaving My Home!

If I had to leave the home I live in for another country and was told that I could only take three item with me I would  have a hard time choosing. For now I would take a blanket that my husband gave me before we were married, a bible that a friend gave me years ago and a stuff donkey I received as an infant.  I would take these thing because the are near and dear to my heart.  Items that have comforted me in one time or another in my life.  I would tell some  one of the comfort they gave me when my life was troubled and made the moving forward smoother. And that each person gave them to me with love.

If I could only keep one item.  That would be hard they each mean a lot to me.  I guess it would be the bible.  It has words of comfort and joy in it.  I could use it to teach from. To show other that there is hope in the world and that we have not be left.

As far as my family culture goes it is one of  move around, father was in the military.  So being able to keep the stuffed donkey has been a key to my past and present with my mother and brother, he has also kept his stuffed dog.  The blanket is an unusual gift from my husband(fiance at the time)  but it remind if the love he has for me that is always surrounding me and our daughters. And finally the bible is from a very dear friend who was afraid that I would not ever know Jesus.  It took sometime but I have finally come to know him. With the last two item the came at a point in time when my life settled down and I and my family were able to start some traditions. There are many more item I would love to take because they each hold a special memory of the giver.