Professional Hopes and Goals

In this weeks blog we must reflect on professional hopes and goals.

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds.

 I want to ensure that I am respectful of all cultures. I want to ensure I am being understanding and accepting the idea that there are different ways to be human. I accept that I have to juggle my own culture, culture of the early childhood program, and the cultures of the families. My goal is have my work with them be powerful and meaningful.

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is that I want to be able to continue to be open when it comes to understanding these issues further identifying ways to cultivate diversity, equity and social justice.

I would like to thank all of my classmates for sharing their knowledge and insights. I am grateful for all information that I have been given by my classmates and Professor. I think throughout this journey I have truly gained a great amount of information and learned so much. Thanks for sharing everyone and much success to all see you in the next course

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Country of Origin “South Africa”

Five ways to be culturally responsive to this family:

One of the first things I would do is learn what language they spoke communicating with this new family will be very important. I would research information about their language and reach out to maybe a local university, church organizations, and non-profits who possibly work with immigrant families, as well as they can possibly assist with interpreting. I would also reach out to social services to see what assistance is possibly available for this family. It is necessary to obtain resources they may need to help them settle into the United States.

I would find out about their culture as it relates to education. I would research to see what their education system if there was any, and what it consisted of also what ways I can relate any education to the United States. I would see what resources I could obtain that were in close relation to what their child was possible accustomed to. I would search information on what their values from their native land that they may incorporate in their home and life in general. It’s important to study their values and see what their values may be in relation to the United States. I would also like to understand the role of the children and build upon what they may feel is necessary for their child.  

Benefits to help both me and the families:

I would hope these preparations would allow me to know that this family would know they are supported and have a great professional who cares about their well-being as well as their child, one who is looking out for the best interest of their child. I would hope preparing has made the transition for them a comfortable experience. I think by ensuring they receive needed resources, housing, food, and items needed for survival. If the child is in an environment they are able to conform to they are allowed to continue to be exposed to things from their culture in the classroom this will allow for a smooth transition as well.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

In this week’s blog assignment we had to explore the personal side of bias, prejudice and oppression:

What memory do you have of an incident when you experiences bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/ or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

I can remember a show called “A Different World” which was about a predominantly African American college in Virginia. This show I can remember dealt with racial issues from many aspects. There was one episode which dealt with racial biases with students at a college football game. There were two students who went to the football game of a rival school of theirs. When the students came out of the game their car had been spray painted with a racial slur. When they confronted the Caucasian students who they felt had spray painted the car they were faced with name calling and racial slurs, as well as physical altercation. They were all arrested and while they were locked up together there was one kid who had been the perpetrator who knew what they did was wrong and apologized for the incident. They were all released and were forced to work together doing community service work.  

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

The students that were Caucasian were judging the African American students on the color of their skin and not knowing anything about them or their characters.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

This incident brought up feelings of sadness, anger, and shame. Even though this was on television this is reality for some of us who are African American, who experience this type of prejudiced on a regular basis in different forms and environments.

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

The mindset of people thinking that because we are of different races, that we should be treated differently because of the color of our skin. In order for us all to move forward we need to not stereotype or have preconceived notions of people of other races. I believe especially in early childhood education that we need to ensure that we are not influencing children to be prejudice. The unfortunate is that if they are being taught this at home there will be conflicts in the school setting.