Welcoming Families From Around the World

The name of my family’s country of origin is France. I never visit France, but I am planning to visit next summer. The native language of the children and families from France is French. The dominant religion among families in France is Roman Catholic. My best friend is an elementary teacher and she recently got a child who is from Spain. Whenever we converse she is complaining how difficult it is to make the child fit it with the other children within her classroom community. As early childhood professionals we must make each child feel welcomed, safe, and secure despite of their family’s origin or ethnicity so it is important that we take the steps needed to provide quality learning experiences. 

At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

1.      I would first research France’s History so I can familiarize myself with some of their cultural values, customs, and traditions.

2.      I would provide a classroom environment that represents all cultures so that each child feel welcomed while in the classroom.

3.      I would have each child fill out an “About Me” profile so that I can learn things about them and their family.

4.      I would have conferences with the parents so that I can learn more about their family’ s structure and beliefs so that I can incorporate some of their ideas in the classroom so that the child do not feel isolated from the rest of the classroom community.

5.      I know that there will be language barriers so I would learn some of the basic words in French and ask for assistance from my colleagues and friends who may know French in order to communicate effectively with children and their families.

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

 It is my desire as an educator to provide an environment that is safe, supports risk taking, and invites sharing of ideas so that each child feel welcomed within my classroom. Equipping myself with knowledge and utilizing resources to help me learn about one’s origin allows me to understand students and their families. I will be able to provide them with the skills they need for success. The environment that a child is in can impact their health and well being. The ultimate goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment for children and their families. Providing a child with a safe environment will allow each child to blossom and grow.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

When I was 11 years old I was a victim of a bias and prejudice incident. One Saturday evening I walked to the corner store with my two Hispanic friends because they had to purchase some bread for their mother. As we entered the store the Asian store owner watched my every move. Once we got to the bread isle he could not see me because the potato chip rack was blocking his view. Once we got the bread we went to the counter and they paid for the bread. As we were about to walk out the door the Asian store owner yelled, “Little black girl come back here”. I walked back into the store with my eyes opened wide because I had no idea why he wanted me to come back into the store. As I got closer to him he began pulling out my pockets asking me what I took. My friends were laughing but I did not find anything funny because I was been terrorized for nothing. Once the store owner saw that I did not have anything he said you kids get home now. As we began walking up the street may Hispanic friend Carlos pulled out two bags of chips that he took from the store without purchasing. I took off running home because my mother always told me not to associate myself with negative peers.

The ways the bias and prejudice diminish equity was that because I was African American I was searched due to the fact that I appeared to be a suspect since that is the way society portray African American. I was discriminated against because of my race. My Hispanic friend was not searched when in the end he was the one who stole the items.

This incident brought feelings of lonliness because I felt isolated due to my race. I knew that I was being treated unfairly because I am an African American. Against all odds I was sad and felt as if I had to always prove my innocence to others because of my race. This placed a burden on my heart and I never went back into that corner store.

The Asian store clear and society itself would have to change in order to turn the incident into an opportunity for greater equity. I say that society in general would have to change by not labeling, prejudging or stereotyping individuals because of their race. At some point racial profiling has to end. Since we live by societal norms we would think and act in the manner that society portray the “way of living” by what one should or should not do.. As a nation we should not want others to have feelings or loneliness, depression or despair because of the way people treat them.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

On this past Monday morning I was a victim of racial microaggression. My supervisor prepared breakfast for her team. She made eggs, potatoes, sausages and flour tortillas. There are only two African Americans in her group and the others are Hispanics. When we both asked if she had hot sauce, she replied “Is hot sauce a black person thing because you all eat it with everything”. I immediately got upset and walked back to my office. I ate my food then sent her an email asking her if I could speak with her when she had time. About an hour later she came into my office and closed the door. I explained to her how I was bothered by her comment at breakfast. She said that it is just a figure of speech and that I do not have to be so sensitive. I then told her that referencing things to one’s ethnicity can be offensive. She then apologized and indicated that it was never her intentions to offend me. On Tuesdays morning I went into work and gave her the DVD and asked her to listen to   Dr. Derald Wing Sue presentation.  Later that day she came into my office and thanked me for sharing the video because she did not realize how racial comments can have an impact on a person’s psychological development. She asked if she could use the CD at out next staff meeting so that everyone can see how the smallest remarks can be offensive to others.

This week I have learned that I have to be cautious of my choice of words when speaking with people in general. I do not want to say anything that would cause harm to anyone even if it is unintentional. My supervisor’s comments allowed me to understand that I must not stereotype people because it can have an impact on one’s self esteem. It is very hurtful and disappointing when you are a victim of microaggression. I do not want anyone to go through that experience so I will think before I act or say anything that is harsh to others. I will treat others how I would like to be treated.

Perspectives of Diversity

For this assignment I spoke with my friend Crystal who is an African American, my co-worker Jesus Diaz who is Hispanic and my friend Jarrod Stone who is Jamaican. Crystal defines culture as one’s religion, family values, and tradition. Her definition of diversity is the grouping of different backgrounds or what other people are made of. 

When speaking with Jesus Diaz about culture he explained culture as a bond that families share with each other as they tie their everyday living into their family’s values. His definition of diversity is the way others perceive your everyday living and how others see what it fit for you. 

As I spoke with Jarrod, he basically defined culture as the foods, traditions and values that each family share. Diversity to him is a unique characteristic that makes us different from the rest. 

From what I learned in this course thus far, basically everyone’s definition of culture and diversity is a reflection of one’s customs, beliefs and values.  Everyone has their own definition of what culture mean to them because it is something that is shared and expressed among each family. Diversity within itself represents the overall differences within various cultures and ethnicity.

Some aspects that was omitted when speaking with my friends and colleagues was the overall aspect of race and religion as it relates to culture. They mostly spoke about their various traditions, values, foods or customs. No one mentioned their religious beliefs which can have a major impact on one’s upbringing.

After listening to others views of culture and diversity it has broaden my understanding that we must look beyond the overall basics of one’s race and ethnicity. Overall we all understand that our life experiences and differences are what make us diverse. We have to look more in dept to understand who people really are in order to get a full understand of what they are made of.