Considerations, Reflections, Aspirations

·      One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length).

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that we would tear down any walls we have built against people who are not like us, forget about any stereotypes we have formed believing what we see in the media and through others and fully embrace each others differences. Instead, we should celebrate each other’s differences and view them as learning opportunities.  We should strive to incorporate anything that is “outside of our norm” and has to do with the children and families that we serve.  

·      One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length).

One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is that each person that works in this the field of childcare and/or education take a course on inclusion and diversity.  This way, we can begin to break down the stereotypes and opinions that may have been formed and really understand why each person, regardless of who they are or where they are from, is valuable.

·      A brief note of thanks to your colleagues.  I want to thank each of you who have taken the time to share your experiences, past and present, to help us understand the challenges people face as it pertains to diversity.  Also, thank you for really taking the content within this course to heart and making a pledge to do better for our children, families and ultimately, our world.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

I imagine welcoming a family from Greece.  I would do the following to prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family:

·     Learn about the cultural background of the family (customs, greetings, language

·     Once they arrive, embrace curiosity by being “careful not to ignore or discourage the families questions about differences among people, even if the questions make me uncomfortable” (Boutte, 2008, pg. 171)

·     Learn important phrases in the native language and communicate with the family in their language; teach children important phrases as well so they can be excited about learning

·     Explain to families that they are always welcome and encourage them to attend so they will know and understand what their child(ren) will be immersed in

·     Don’t make any assumptions.  Ask the parents what they expect for their child and ask them how I can help them implement those goals

I hope that these preparations would help us all by laying the foundation for transparency and open communication.  Also, I hope that the family will really understand my desire to not only make them feel welcome, but to fully immerse them in our culture while still respecting theirs.

Boutte, G. (2008). Beyond the illusion of diversity: How early childhood teachers can 

promote social justice. Social Studies, 99(4), 165-173.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression

I can’t recall a memory of an incident when I experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression but turning on my television and watching the news or browsing the internet each day reminds me of the biases, prejudices and oppression that other people face.  I see people attacked because of their religion, color of their skin, gender, sexual preferences and the list can continue.  The sad part is that I cannot just pinpoint one incident because there have been so many.  Calling law enforcement on people of color for doing, normal everyday things like sitting in Starbucks and waiting for a friend to beating an innocent Sikh man are examples of things that have become common, and seemingly acceptable, in our nation.

These instances diminish equity because they are not by allowing those who are on the receiving end of the bias and prejudice no justice or reassurance that their lives are important or that they matter.  All of these incidents make me angry and to be honest, afraid.  If the climate in the country does not change, I wonder if the country will go back to the days of the Civil Rights movement. While I don’t believe things will be as bad as they were during that time, I do believe things may get worse before they actually get better.  In order for any of these incidents to change into opportunities for greater equity, conversations will have to happen and that allow people to discuss their differences and fears.  People all around will need to change their mindsets.