Saturday, October 29, 2011

Professional Hopes and Goals

My hope for working with children and families from diverse background is that children and families would experience cultural visibility and continuity (Sparks, & Edwards, 2010),  in their immediate environment as well as in all other settings.

Also, it is my hope that all children and families of diverse background will benefit from equity and social justice in the teaching learning environment. The anti-bias education is a vital tool for such a push (Sparks, & Edwards, 2010).

Finally, all children and families would feel valued and become resources to other children and families that have cultural differences.

 One goal I will like to establish for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity and social justice is to ensue that issues of equity, and social justice if become visible are addressed and policies and practices be put in place for the early childhood field so that each child's individual needs would be met in a diverse society

To al my colleagues and friends, I say thank you for those insights towards diversity, equity and social justice.

The journey was a long and tiresome one but we have made it once again. 

As we continue on let us be optimistic about the future of children and families towards equity, and social justice. Every child deserves to develop to his fullest potential  and we should be committed to making this happen.

See you in the next!

Resources

Build diversity and equity retreived from http://www.buildinitiative.org/content/diversity-and-equity

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

 

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The name of the family’s country is Pakistan.

Pakistan shares influences that have shaped the cultures of South Asia. There are thus wider regional similarities extending beyond the national boundaries. On the other hand, the specific regional cultures of Pakistan  picture of rich diversity. Family organization is strongly patriarchal, as in most agrarian societies, and most people live in large extended families.

Ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family?

 I will prepare my current students in welcoming the new student and the family; having a virtual tour of the country; the flag, the map, and part of the country’s children’s lifestyles.

I will Post a ‘WELCOME FAMILIES” sign in the family‘s language in a visible position. (Urdu: Khosh amadid)

Read about acceptable practices in the family’s home that will tie in with school’s culture; traditions, language, culture and practices.

 I will find an interpreter or another family from Pakistan to help with translation and building good rapport with family. This will help develop trust, and to show the family that we care about their child's individual needs.

 Find on-line resources from the country that are applicable to the child and family's culture. For example, pictures of buildings, the way they dress, the food, the rivers, the mountains, and deserts.

A brief description in ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

A lot of misconceptions exist about different cultures because people do not always take the time to get the whole picture. he more we learn and know about other cultures the less misconceptions and stereotypes there will be. Educating yourself about different cultures and the people will not only make you a more knowledgeable and tolerant person, but you will gain respect for cultures and the people who are part of them.Thus families would feel a sense of belonging and would then realize that there can be continuity in their cultural practices and traditions. Resources

Culture of Pakistan - history, people, clothing, traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Pakistan.html#ixzz1bWa17iJU

Saturday October 15, 2011

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and /or oppression?

This incident happened a few years ago when my daughter had an accident driving from school together with her siblings and two other children. When the accident happened we were notified and went to the site immediately. While we waited for the police the caucasians male party made comments like; “All you Jamaicans don’t know how to drive, look how you hit my car!” In rage he continued, “And I am sure you do not have insurance on your car because that is what all you do when in America.” His buddy with him acknowledged him saying, “I’m sure they illegal and they should just send all of them back!” We ignored them and continued to wait.

In what ways did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

Who said they were Jamaicans? Who said they had no insurance?  Who said they were illegal? These were messages of micro-aggression, biases and prejudice.  My daughter was not treated with respect and courtesy which should be afforded equally to all whether legal or illegal citizens, whether they were at fault in the accident or not at fault.  She was pre-judged based on the assumptions of others. Those messages diminished the fairness and equal rights of women and immigrants on the part of the male party. However what the police officer did showed a measure of equity. He listened to both parties and could not determine which party was at fault. Therefore he encouraged both parties to contact their insurance companies and did not see the need to give any of them a ticket.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

I felt sad for my children who were discriminated against by the male party. I often asked, “How many times do we have to go through incidents of bias and prejudice?” It was very emotional for all of us because you never know how and when your identity could be mistaken and caused conflicts. This situation could have been escalated and who knows someone could have gotten hurt. Imaging you been accused of who you are not; your status, your identity, your class! It is disheartening to know how the color of your skin and your accent in one way take away equity among groups of people.  Even though many efforts were made in the past to eradicate biases and prejudices, the many instances tell us that biases and prejudices are far from over.

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

The one who needs to change in order to turn the incident into an opportunity for greater equity is the one who experienced the pain of the ‘isms.” Sometimes it is hard to figure out why you became the target but what we have to remember is the fact that the “isms” are part of our lives even though it is hard accepting it (Nadiyah Taylor, Laureate Education Inc, 2011).The way we look at people's identity and our attitudes towards individuals of different ethnic group need to be changed.  We need to educate more of society on issues of “isms” and let our experiences of the pain become the “A-HA” moment for those perpetrators of bias, prejudice, micro-aggression and other isms that exist in society.  If we are going to do something towards equity for all we should start with respect (Eugene Garcia, Laureate Education, Inc. 2011). Respect of our own own identity, and then respect for others. There is a long road ahead of us towards equality for all.

Resources

 Garcia, E. (2011 Laureate Education Inc). In his own voice

Taylor, N. (2011). Laureate Education Inc). In her own voice.

http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5691618&Survey=1&47=8295579&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

 

Saturday October 1, 2011

Practicing Awareness of Micro-aggression

According to Dr. Sue (Laureate Education, 2011) micro-aggression is a verbal behavior towards race, gender, sexual orientation as well as disabilities. This example of micro-aggression was witnessed in my native island while on vacation. It was a day of cricket, a Sunday sport when most villagers would come out to support their home team.

This was what was spoken to an eldely disabled woman:

“Why don’t you put your walker at the back instead of in front of me? I cannot see the game. Here is not the place for you; you should stay home.” Those were the words of a young male to a disabled woman who placed her walker on the side of her to get quick access in case she had to move quickly.

 The behavior of the young man was rude, demeaning and disrespectful in my opinion. At the time I did not have knowledge about micro-aggression so I just looked at it as disrespecting the elderly.  As I reflected on micro-aggression, the behavior of the young man showed verbal abuse, gender abuse, stereotype as well as disrespect for the elderly and the disabled. The message was insulting, and demeaning and I felt disappointed when I heard the way that elderly woman was addressed.

Who say once you are disabled you should isolate yourself?  The hidden message from the young man to the elderly disabled woman was, “You do not belong here, because you are helpless.  According to Ford (n. d), this must change!

The behavior of the young man made me think of my own behavior towards others. Is that the way I would like to be treated? Is that the way I would like my parents to be treated? Demeaning words can be very powerful and can hurt deeply. For the rest of the day I believe that woman was carrying the stigma of disabled people who are often times robbed of individuality and debilitate their attempts to break out of stereotypical roles (Southern Poverty Law Center, n. d). It is important to note that people with disabilities should be afforded the same opportunities like any other in society.

References

Ford, R. (n. d). It's not just about Racism- Bur Ableism. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail?sid=b64c65fd-8e72-437b-b802-cf6...

Laureate Education (2011).  “Microaggressions in Everyday Life”. In this program, Dr. Derald Wing Sue presents a lecture about the concept of microaggression in everyday life.

Teaching tolerance. Test yourself for hidden bias. Retrieved from http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias