Practicing Awareness of Microaggression

My experience with microaggression has been plenty. A memorial one is one that I witnessed. I don't know how many of you have been a server in a fast food restaurant. I was at this particular establishment and a group of black customers were walking up to the entrance of the door. I overheard one of the white servers say "here comes a groups of blacks, and you know that they do not tip well or at all."  I was curious to see what the outcome will be after the party had consumed their meal, and if the party left a tip. Well, the server was correct because the tip was very small for the time and service that she had provided. I felt bad because what the server said came true.

In my younger days, I took a job in Atlanta, GA. My co-workers played a joke on me when we went to a restaurant for lunch for my first pay check, and they all left the table to excuse themselves for the restroom, but they had left the restaurant and left me with the bill. I paid the bill, but then the server came running after me about the tip. I was never taught the amount of tip that you was supposed to leave. All I had ever seen was my parents or relatives would leave one or two dollars.

This was my first time experience with tipping, so I asked her how much. She told me about the 15% gratuity to the total bill. So I gave her the money for the tip, and I have been leaving the 15% gratuity, and if the service is outstanding a 20% gratuity every since. The stereotype is that most black people do not tip well or at all. I still see it today where blacks tip or not, but I have seen other races leave little or no tips for their servers as well, and then others leave the gratuity and a little more. When I am with my date, family members, or co-workers at a restaurant, I make sure the tip is at least 15% of the total bill.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

My colleagues responded to the definition of culture and diversity the following ways. Dr. Christian defined culture as fashion, ways, and lifestyles from different races and beliefs. Dr. Wilcox gave a more detail definition of culture. "It is what they believe, how they act, what they wear, what they listen to, and who they pray to." (Wilcox, 2019). She states culture defines a person from the inside out and make each of us unique.

Diversity was defined as a representation of multiple different cultures and races within a setting. Dr. Wilcox gave a more detailed description of diversity. "Diversity is a widespread representation of the ecletic mix that makes up the human race." (Wilcox, 2019). She speaks on not just focusing on just race, religion, or sexual orientation, but we should look at beliefs and values represented across all of the individuals within any group or organization. "Including variety in culures, ethnicities, socio economic status, religion, and sexual orientation an mutual understanding and respect for differences to grow and mature instead of distrust, fear and understanding." (Wilcox, 2019).

Dr. Christian and Dr. Wilcox perspectives and culture and diversity have given me more insight. I have not put to much input in using fashion when looking at culture. Dr. Wilcox defining a person from the inside out and that makes each of us a unique person in describing culture has never been given to much of thought. I will now implement fashion and the inside and out of a person when making my assumptions on culture.

Reference:

Wilcox. Dr. (2019). Wesleyan College.
Christian. Dr. (2019). Bibb County Board of Education.

Insights

Three small items that are to be taken are the Bible, Recipe Book, and family album. The Bible is the foundation of the Black community here in America. You cannot forget the homemade dishes that are passes down from families. The holidays are when your family's favorite dishes of dressing, custards, collard greens, chitlings, and sweet potatoes pie. My mother and sister makes homemade pizza, coconut cake, and fried chitlings. The family album is my third choice. My cousin posted a picture on facebook of me, my brothers and sisters, and her when we were outside playing in grandma's yard.  There are pictures of my grandpas, grand moms, great aunts, great uncles, and cousins.

African Culture begins in the 1600's when our ancestors were brought here. The Bible, Family Heritage, and Recipes, are the staples of the African American community. Many of my white friends are always asking me from dressing, custard and sweet potatoes pies during the holidays. I have learn one thing which is our cultures may be diverse, but food can bring us together.