Professional Hopes and Goals

It is my hope that children and families from diverse backgrounds are treated equally and with respect.  I want everyone to feel comfortable about who they are, their family background, and learn to eradicate prejudices and biases that are hurtful and unwarranted.  My one goal related to diversity in the field of early childhood is to foster diversity in my program by way of curriculum, materials, music, literature, arts, and social play.

I would like to thank ALL of my colleagues for sharing their insights and demonstrating their growth over the weeks of this course.  This course was insightful and makes me feel good about educating young children and working with diverse families.  Please share all that you have learned with your friends, family members, community, and colleagues.  Please stand up for anyone that is mistreated. Microagressions, prejudices, and , are learned behaviors and can be unlearned.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

From Germany to America

My family's country of origin is Germany.  The first thing I would do to prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards my new family is research historical facts about Germany.  I would research languages, customs, and foods.  Next I would learn phrases such as good morning, good afternoon, good evening/good night, breakfast, snack, and lunch.  Next I would research about the early childhood education programs.  Then I would research which childrens' toys and be sure to include those toys in my environment.  Lastly, I would invite the child or children to introduce something of their culture to our classroom.

My goal is to foster a welcoming spirit and inviting environment.  I hope that my initiation of trying to learn about Germany would display our interest and demonstrate a sign of acceptance and respect to the family.  I hope these preparations would initiate the building blocks for new relationships between the children and their family and reflect our respect for receiving diverse families into our program.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

The movie Rosewood is the most vivid and poignant movie that depicts racism and prejudices against blacks.  The movie although fictional, was based on historical events.  The actual events happened in Rosewood, Florida around January in the 1920s.  The story was about how whites rioted against black business owners, burned down their homes and businesses, and massacred black families.  Inequality was depicted by targeting blacks only as white families that lived in the community were spared any harm.   The movie was released in 1997 and always evoke emotions of sadness, anger, and despair.  The movie also displayed how some blacks received helped from some whites and how some whites risked their lives to save blacks and aid in their escape.  In the 20s, blacks were powerless against whites and there was virtually nothing could be done to change the way whites thought during that era in the deep south.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week I shared a story with my parent about how my son had an allergic reaction from something he ate from KFC.  I shared with her that my son ate chicken, corn on the cob, and a biscuit.  Her advice was to call KFC and speak with a manager about the incident and find out what type of oil was used to fry the chicken.  I told her the chicken was grilled and her response was “oh”.  I smiled and we continued to talk.  Now this comment could be perceived as a microaggression committed with a microinsult.  Although I was not insulted by the assumption that black people or African-Americans like to eat fried chicken (a stereotype), I do realize that African-Americans are not predisposed to eating fried chicken than any other group of people on the planet.  

Another microaggression occured today as I was waiting for an oil change to my vehicle.  A White man asked me if I was wearing blue contacts and my response was no.  His assumption is that people of color do not have naturally colored blue eyes.  

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Gay-African-American Male

My definition of culture is a person’s ethnicity, family beliefs and traditions handed down from generations, race, nationality, and culture.  My definition of diversity is when groups within culture are able to express their individuality. 

Heterosexual-White Man

My definition of culture is a way society group individuals that share beliefs and live by what is acceptable or not.  My definition of diversity is more than one group with different types of people.

Hispanic woman

My definition of culture is language, religion, beliefs and values.  Diversity is living and interacting with different races.

Some aspects of culture and diversity that were mentioned that I studied and are included in the answers obtained are race, religion, language, beliefs and values, and ethnicity.  One aspects that I studied and was omitted was relationships such as marriage.  This omission of relationship could possibly fall under traditions. 

Discussing culture and diversity with others is starting to influence how I listen to people discuss events in their daily lives.  Culture and diversity has different meanings to individuals and all perspectives should be respected

My Family Cultural

I would bring my flash drive, iphone, and MacBook.  I would bring each of these items because of the photos I have stored on all three devices.  My photos are very valuable to me and I download photos regularly to all of the mentioned items.  I would choose my MacBook if I could only keep one item.  I would be unhappy and possibly resentful for having to keep only one personal item.  One insight this exercise has made me realize is that I am not attached to many material items.  I have very little family cultural.  My language, personal experiences, and relationships have cultural meaning to me that I retain internally.  This exercise is an eye opener on how complacent I am with my existence and how I uncomfortable I can become if my circumstance.