Has this ever happened to you?

This week, I have been carefully monitoring and observing any evidence of microaggression in my classroom. To my surprise, my first encounter with microaggression happened to me. As many of you know, my family is of Jamaican decent. Many of the foods we eat are considered "unappetizing" to others. This week, I decided to pack lunch, from left over dinner cooked the night before. As I arrived to work, I was unloading my bags, as to refrigerate my lunch. My assistant teacher just happen to walk over towards me. I noticed that she was making up her face, as to suggest she smelled something foul. I asked her what was wrong, and she replied, "what's that?". I asked her "what's what?" She replied "what's that in the container?" I said "Oh, it's my lunch. I made dinner last night". She asked "What is it?" I told her it was pig's tail with red peas, but in Jamaica we call it Stew Peas and rice. While making up her face she said "Eww, why ya'll eat that? That's nasty?". At this point, I was quite tempted to respond in a very inappropriate way, but recollecting back to this course, I maintained my objectivity and explained to her that all cultures are different and not everyone eats the same foods that she eats. For example, in my culture, we do not eat chitlins', fat back, lard, or any other foods along the same lines, all of which is common in her daily diet. In explaining this, I reiterated "It still does not give me the right to make you feel like what you eat is disgusting or unacceptable". She calmly shook her head in agreement and, to my surprise, she apologized.

I found this experience to be a positive experience, in the sense that she recognized her microaggression and was willing to take responsibility for her actions. There were so many angles that I could have approached this situation, but in taking this course of Perspectives on Diversity and Equity, I acknowledge that ignorance begets ignorance.

...Please feel free to respond and share how you would have handled this situation differently...

What Would You Do?

In the case of a major catastrophe, the three items that I would take with me, besides the other important items that I would not be able to take are, (1) my bible, (2), my cellphone and (3) my baby pouch. 

(1) My bible is extremely important to me. It is the one thing that keeps me grounded in my faith, my family, and as a child of God. My scriptures are what set the foundations for me as a wife, a child, a mother, a professional and a christian. I love my Word and I love reading my Word. 

(2) My cellphone is important because in this new age of technology, cellphones have become almost universal. You can go just about anywhere with your cellphone and be able to communicate with the one's closest to you. Also, cellphones have become the main source of communication in just about every area possible. This may be the only source I hold to keep communication with my family. 

(3) I am currently seven months pregnant and I would definitely need to keep my son close to me, especially in a new land, with new people and a whole new culture. This would be one of the hardest things I've done, to have one of my children with me and separated from my other child. Having this pouch would provide a secure level of security for my son, as we both adapt to this new world. 

If forced to only take one item with me, it would have to be my cellphone. I chose my cellphone, because I would still have access to my bible, through my Bible app, as well as, be able to view photos  and videos of my family taken on my cellphone. While in this new country, I'm sure I can make my own baby pouch to keep my son close to me. Just thinking about this scenario actually scared me to my core. I can not imagine being away from my family, especially my children. This blog assignment really caused me to realize how much I take having my husband, my children and my parents for granted. I am quite thankful for this assignment.