Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week's focus on microagressions truly made me look at how others interact in my workplace.  I have been the victim of microassaults and even microattacks throughout my life because of my race.  As a minority, I have been called names and I have been the recipient of racially biased remarks.  However, this week, I was shocked to have a microassault based on my age.  I was in the process of working with a colleague on a school project.  She asked if I could bake some cupcakes for the PTA meeting next week.  As I started to deny the request, my coworker stated that "she knows I can cook because women did all the cooking back in my day".  The coworker was very young and she implied that as an older woman, I had to spend my days cooking.  Even though I did cook for my family, I took this as an insult.  I perceived the message that younger women are more professional whereas older women are homemakers.  This shocked me because it was a harmless remark.  However, I was very insulted.  I denied the request to bake the cupcake and was quickly told by the coworker that she would just buy some.  Because of the course work, I realized why I was offended.  I was insulted, and I know that it was unintentional.  However, it was offensive and I did not like it.  Have any of you experienced similar situations?

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This week, I asked friends and family how they defined and viewed diversity and culture.  One of the best definitions was provided by a male cousin who view culture as a shared set of beliefs and values among a group of people who support and create those values.  Culture is a part of our society and there are subcultures that form within the dominant culture.  As a result, people can have different views of culture.  My  cousin also stated that diversity is based on differences in society.  Diversity can include language, culture, race, and religion.  Therefore, I agree with the definition that diversity is based on the differences that exist in our society, and it is the basis of the American Melting Pot.

My Family Culture

My family culture is based on the values and the beliefs that we have established over time.
As a result I would take the following three items.

1. Bible:  The bible is essential to my culture and my religious beliefs.  This item would help to explain what I believe in and what has defined my life.

2.  African statue.  This item expresses the creativity of the African American culture.

3.  My grandmother's quilt.  These quilts would explain what the African American family means as as a unit.

If I could only keep one item, I would keep the bible. This is the most important item for me.