The hope that I have is that I can create an environment for children that welcomes all diverse backgrounds. Creating an environment that is welcoming to everyone can be challenging, but with some hard work and an understanding of each childs diversity this can be accomplished. I also hope to share the importance of this with my staff. I have learned that as a society we are so focused on the dominant culture, that the others seem to get lost. I will advocate for all children and make sure that everyone's cutlure is celebrated.
My goal is to educated others on diversity. I thought that I had a good understanding of diversity, cutlure, "isms". But after completing this course I learned that not only did I not have a complete understanding of it, other do not either. This is a topic that needs to be taught and re-taught.
I enjoyed reading many of the post from everyone. I truly enjoyed learning about everyone and hearing so many stories. It made me feel that we have all had so many of the same experiences, and it helped me learn.
Thank you and Good Luck to everyone.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
I would welcome a family from Scotland. This is a place that I know nothing about.
The five things that I would do to prepare for myself to be culturally responsive are:
1. I would research their government, and learn what there laws are. This will help me understand how they may react to certain laws in our country and I would be able t explain the differences.
2. I would learn about their customs and holidays. This will teach me about what they believe in and if they celebrate any of the same holidays as we do.
3. I would learn about any other language they may speak.
4. I would find out which region of the country they are from, what is the culture like there and what are the different religions.
5. I would learn about how family's function in Scotland. For example, do extended families live together, what are the cultural norms for society, what is the hierarchy within the family structure.
I hope that by learning these different things about Scotland, I will have a good understanding of what the family may be like. It will help me be more sensitive to their needs and avoid unintentionally insulting them. It will also give me topics to discuss with them which will make them feel as if they are part of our community. There also may be similarities between their culture and mine and I can use that to help them feel as if they are part of this community now. Making a family feel special and welcomed is important in the success of the child in the classroom.
The five things that I would do to prepare for myself to be culturally responsive are:
1. I would research their government, and learn what there laws are. This will help me understand how they may react to certain laws in our country and I would be able t explain the differences.
2. I would learn about their customs and holidays. This will teach me about what they believe in and if they celebrate any of the same holidays as we do.
3. I would learn about any other language they may speak.
4. I would find out which region of the country they are from, what is the culture like there and what are the different religions.
5. I would learn about how family's function in Scotland. For example, do extended families live together, what are the cultural norms for society, what is the hierarchy within the family structure.
I hope that by learning these different things about Scotland, I will have a good understanding of what the family may be like. It will help me be more sensitive to their needs and avoid unintentionally insulting them. It will also give me topics to discuss with them which will make them feel as if they are part of our community. There also may be similarities between their culture and mine and I can use that to help them feel as if they are part of this community now. Making a family feel special and welcomed is important in the success of the child in the classroom.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression
The best memory that will give the best example of how I have experienced prejudice and bias is when I met my husband. I came from what most people would think of as "rich" neighborhood, a middle class family. My family was far from rich, but perception is sometimes the key to judgement. I was 16 when I met my husband and he came from a part of town that my family was horrified that I was in. His family was poor, his mom was raising 3 boys alone and was on welfare. To my family this was unacceptable. My mother did everything passable to keep me from him. Because he came from a different social class, my family thought he must be no good.
The feelings that this brought up for me was disappointment with my family, anger and I rebelled against them. I did not understand what the difference was. I realized that we were different and that is what made us so good together. My family was horrible to him and his family. I was sad for them when they were treated as if they weren't equals. Although my family seemed to have it all, believe me we were just as dysfunctional as many family's are. The difference is we put on a good show.
To this day, although my husband has proved himself over and over again my family still doesn't really accept him. They would need to change their understanding of diversity and culture and learn to embrace all types of people, before they would be able to get over prejudice. My husband has been a good provider and loves me and our children with everything he is. He can't seem to live down where he came from. I have learned alot from this and have never judged anyone my daughter or son have dated or been friends with.
I had never thought about this being a form of bias or prejudice before. But that is exactly what it is. Although my husband was not judged on his skin color, he was judged by his address. I am taken back by how my family could be this way. When I was young, my thoughts were they just wanted the best for me. Now I have a clear understanding that it was not about what was best for me, it was what was about what was best for them. My husband and I have been together for 25 years, he is my best friend! If I would have had that same prejudice I would never had the opportunity to find him.
The feelings that this brought up for me was disappointment with my family, anger and I rebelled against them. I did not understand what the difference was. I realized that we were different and that is what made us so good together. My family was horrible to him and his family. I was sad for them when they were treated as if they weren't equals. Although my family seemed to have it all, believe me we were just as dysfunctional as many family's are. The difference is we put on a good show.
To this day, although my husband has proved himself over and over again my family still doesn't really accept him. They would need to change their understanding of diversity and culture and learn to embrace all types of people, before they would be able to get over prejudice. My husband has been a good provider and loves me and our children with everything he is. He can't seem to live down where he came from. I have learned alot from this and have never judged anyone my daughter or son have dated or been friends with.
I had never thought about this being a form of bias or prejudice before. But that is exactly what it is. Although my husband was not judged on his skin color, he was judged by his address. I am taken back by how my family could be this way. When I was young, my thoughts were they just wanted the best for me. Now I have a clear understanding that it was not about what was best for me, it was what was about what was best for them. My husband and I have been together for 25 years, he is my best friend! If I would have had that same prejudice I would never had the opportunity to find him.
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