"A person's a person no matter how small"-Dr. Seuss

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions   Earlier this week, I was on my way to work and needed to stop to fuel my vehicle at the gas station.   I witnessed a major accident in an adjacent parking lot from the gas station I was headed to.   I arrived at the gas station, pumped my gas, and went inside to pay the store clerk.   I approached the counter where there were dual cash registers and a Middle-Aged, White Male checking out next to me.   While checking out I mentioned that there was a big accident right down the road.   The man next to me then commented, “Yeah, probably was a woman driving.” and jokingly laughed.   My response was awkward, I did not laugh and said I was unsure who was driving the vehicles.   This person was a good example of the dominant culture of a White male communicating superiority over woman and individuals of color and their inability to complete a task as well (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010).    ...

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture The first interview was conducted with a colleague that is a white female, who was born and raised in the local area and in her early sixties.   She moved away when she was married to a soldier and traveled to Germany, several parts of Europe, and around the United States.   She recently returned to her family home in the area three years ago when her parents passed away.   Her response to the question of culture and diversity was surprising to me personally:    “Well we have no culture and diversity here, I mean locally.   Everyone is blonde haired, blue eyed, Finns, unless you are here with the university (referring to Michigan Technological University).   Because of the university we have some diversity in the town, but the locals don’t really jive with that.” I had assumed from her travels she would have found an appreciation for the deeper culture she had been raised in and could see the dive...

My Family Culture: Three Items of Cultural Meaning         To choose three items to cherish if I was displaced was easy and challenging all at the same time.   I was unsure if I wanted to choose practical items or items that I would just want close to my heart.   Of course, I went with the heart.   I chose three items that reminded me of the people who would give me inspiration and hope when I imagine I would need it the most.    Item #1        The first item I would choose to take with me is the Irish Claddagh ring that my mother gave me when I was a young girl.   I remember her giving it to me when she thought I was ready to understand it’s importance and take good care of it.   The traditional Claddagh ring signifies love, loyalty, and friendship.   Throughout my childhood, I remember my mother wearing her own Claddagh jewelry for special occasions and the one ring...