Diversity and Culture?

 “Diversity is what we live each day.”                                     - elementary teacher

“We are diversity”                                                                   - elementary teacher

“Culture is the part that keeps groups together. It’s the easy and fun stuff like music, art, literature, foods, and celebrations.”                           -elementary teacher

 

 

*Many responses described surface level culture. Many consider diversity to be based on race and ethnicity.

 

Omitted Areas Discussed

Many did not share the culture of THEIR specific family. Many did not share the role of required/legal culture. (Those required by the government of their country of origin).

 

Several answers in regards to culture, family, identity, and diversity influenced my own thinking. When listening to a dear colleague discuss her family, I was reminded that there are people in the world who still view groups as “them” and feel obliged to judge the cultural choices of others.

3 Items That Would Accompany Our Family In Case of Emergency

*COC's for each daughter
Both of my daughters are adopted from Russia as babies. Their Certificate of Citizenship is the one document that makes them AMERICAN citizens. Even if our family were to be relocated, it would be important, critical to have this document.

*Adoption ScrapBook for Big Girl

*Adoption ScrapBook for the Wee One

Although photos can be reprinted, and many pictures are saved online in various locations, there are many bits and pieces of each daughters contained in their adoption scrapbooks. Items such as reciepts, hotel keys, medicine wrappers, tickets to ballets while in Russia, restaraunt napkins, and a variety of items from each of the four trips to Russia.


 If I found that I could only keep one item, I would have to keep the girls' COCs as this is their legal paperwork. I'd be broken hearted to lose their scrapbooks. Mostly broken hearted for the girls.

I realize that "things" aren't as important to me as I thought they would be. Although I would be devastated if I lost items, in reality photos are online and everywhere so I could almost recreate many memorable moments.

Perspectives on Diversity and Equity (EDUC - 6164 - 2)

Starting the newest course...(EDUC - 6164 - 2).
Looking forward to sharing with lots of new classmates!
Have a good weekend everyone!

jg

Micro Aggressions

It didn't happen this week, but it has happened often in relationship to me having daughters that are born in Russia.

"Why didn't you adopt in the US? There are many needy children here."

"Do your girls know their REAL mom?"

"Don't you hate it that your girls were born in Russia since they are so against the US?"

It could go on and on..Most don't mean to be ignorant, but it is exhausting at times to here these things..When I adopted, Russian American relations were fine, and now that we hate each other, I get the comments much more. Thank you Putin.

I just hope that my girls don't here it too much when I am not around. I don't want that stress on them.

Week 3

Many friends consider the history of their family to be part of their culture. Language, religion, ethnicity, and traditions, are the main elements that most colleagues used to define CULTURE.

Many consider diversity as different races, cultures, religious groups and political affiliations.

Because I gathered my results from coworkers, we tend to share very similar ideas on culture and diversity. 

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.