Culture and Diversity

I have loads of friends who are from different countries, faiths, and points of view...
Most think that culture is about Where they come from..What their family finds valuable..And Why families hold these beliefs...

Some of my friends face micro-agression as indicated by Dr. Sue. Most on a basic level, by well meaning friends. I have always heard adoptive parents speak of the comments made to them, but honestly I have never been affected by those comments. Beleive me, I hear them too.

--WOW, your daughters look like they could be your REAL daughters.---
How much did you pay for your daughter?---
---Couldn't you adopt in American?---
---Do your daughters know their real mom?---

But being the comments come from well meaning people, I let it go..AND because these microaggressions are the least of who I am, I let them go..I am so much more than an adopted mother, and the comments are mild at best..I haven't faced them all my life, nor do people make them unless they know I am an adoptive mother, which is my choice to share...So, as Pete the Cat says, "I am allll goooood."

Memories

(I began this course several months ago and had to drop it due to some family chaos, I wrote this during the first time through the course..and it still holds true!)

If relocating to a new country, the three items I would take is a small, Rolling Thunder Bible, a small Christmas tree, and a photo album from a family trip to Disney World.

The Rolling Thunder Bible was given to my eldest daughter when she and her aunt when to the festival in 2006. Later that year I took that Bible to Russia to meet my second adopted daughter. While meeting her, I placed her foot on one of the empty pages and traced the outline of it so I would know how big her foot was at that time. These are precious memories that connect my sister, both of my daughters, Russia and my faith. I treasure this Bible.

The Christmas tree represents one of our favorite American holidays. Our family gathers together and has time to be with each other. eat our favorite foods, and attend holiday services at Christmas Time.

The photo album from our Disney Trip shows a traditional American vacation. We celebrated our birthdays there, and both grandparents were there to watch the fun!

 

I would be angry if, upon arrival, I were told that I could only keep one personal  item.

For me, culture is most about family and love. It’s not things, but traditions that bring families together.