Professional Hopes and Goals
My most significant hope for working with families of diverse backgrounds is that I can make them feel comfortable asking questions that pertain to the well-being of their children. I want all parents to have a voice for their children and to know that they are their children's biggest advocate. I hope that all parents will know and understand that I am not here to judge them in any way.
It seems overwhelming to write that my goal for the early childhood field, in relation to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice, is to have world peace. However, I feel that if I start in my little corner of the world, then I am adding to an overall better place to live.
Thank you to my colleagues this semester for you openness and honesty in regards to the tough topic of diversity. I know that with new knowledge and the personal stories from you, I have gained a better understanding about races, ethnicities, cultures and customs that I did not know before this class.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Welcoming Families From Around the World
Welcoming Families From Around the World
Lately I have been looking into my family tree. This class on diversity has catapulted me into wanting to know all about my ancestors.
So, for this assignment, I would pick that my family would be from either Sweden or Germany.
The five ways I would prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards the family are as follows:
1. Start at the library and gather as much information on the country of Sweden and Germany.
2. Learn to read and speak in their native tongue (as much as possible, until I could become proficient)
3. Ask friends and family if they knew anyone that migrated from these countries so that I could get a first hand account of what it may have been like in their country
4. Speak with colleagues that belong to organizations that are in Sweden or Germany.
5. Attempt to gather as much information on their home land, especially in regards to the other races, ethnicities, and social classes that exist in their individual towns and cities
The most important benefit of my preparations would be that I would make the families feel welcome in our country. I would hope that my understanding of where they come from would easy the transition period and make them feel that we in the United States do in fact care about their home land. Also, communication for the families would be easier if I was able to speak and read/write in their native tongue. Furthermore, I would hope to show the families that I have an in depth understanding of their culture, customs and ethnicity. All of these aspects would greatly benefit me because I would feel that I am encouraging the families to feel comfortable and wanted here in the United States.
Lately I have been looking into my family tree. This class on diversity has catapulted me into wanting to know all about my ancestors.
So, for this assignment, I would pick that my family would be from either Sweden or Germany.
The five ways I would prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards the family are as follows:
1. Start at the library and gather as much information on the country of Sweden and Germany.
2. Learn to read and speak in their native tongue (as much as possible, until I could become proficient)
3. Ask friends and family if they knew anyone that migrated from these countries so that I could get a first hand account of what it may have been like in their country
4. Speak with colleagues that belong to organizations that are in Sweden or Germany.
5. Attempt to gather as much information on their home land, especially in regards to the other races, ethnicities, and social classes that exist in their individual towns and cities
The most important benefit of my preparations would be that I would make the families feel welcome in our country. I would hope that my understanding of where they come from would easy the transition period and make them feel that we in the United States do in fact care about their home land. Also, communication for the families would be easier if I was able to speak and read/write in their native tongue. Furthermore, I would hope to show the families that I have an in depth understanding of their culture, customs and ethnicity. All of these aspects would greatly benefit me because I would feel that I am encouraging the families to feel comfortable and wanted here in the United States.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression
The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression
Of late, the most influential situation regarding prejudice was in the movie, The Help. If you have seen this movie, you know what I am talking about. If you have not seen it, I encourage you to watch it with an open mind and open heart.
The movie is based on a book that was written by a white author, however, the stories in the book are all told by black "maids" from the South in a time when segregation was still abundant.
With that said, you can imagine the types of prejudice, bias and oppression that were described and acted out in this movie. From major racial slurs, to out right mean and hatred for black people is all riddled throughout this movie.
For the most part, I cried during this movie. I have never seen such a moving expression of how people can be so unloving and hurtful to another human being just because of their race. These "maids" were made to use an outhouse to relieve themselves, eat in the kitchen and never with white people, and basically take abuse and racial slurs from their bosses just to keep their jobs.
Usually when I watch this type of movie I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame that my "white" ancestors would treat other human beings this way. I know it was another time; another world. However, it does still exist today in some parts of our country.
I can only hope that a movie such as this was an eye-opener for others. I can only hope that we are a country can learn to love and respect each others differences.
Of late, the most influential situation regarding prejudice was in the movie, The Help. If you have seen this movie, you know what I am talking about. If you have not seen it, I encourage you to watch it with an open mind and open heart.
The movie is based on a book that was written by a white author, however, the stories in the book are all told by black "maids" from the South in a time when segregation was still abundant.
With that said, you can imagine the types of prejudice, bias and oppression that were described and acted out in this movie. From major racial slurs, to out right mean and hatred for black people is all riddled throughout this movie.
For the most part, I cried during this movie. I have never seen such a moving expression of how people can be so unloving and hurtful to another human being just because of their race. These "maids" were made to use an outhouse to relieve themselves, eat in the kitchen and never with white people, and basically take abuse and racial slurs from their bosses just to keep their jobs.
Usually when I watch this type of movie I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame that my "white" ancestors would treat other human beings this way. I know it was another time; another world. However, it does still exist today in some parts of our country.
I can only hope that a movie such as this was an eye-opener for others. I can only hope that we are a country can learn to love and respect each others differences.
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