Professional Hopes and Goals

When I think about early childhood education and diversity, I think of getting to know the families, working as partners in whichever workplace of choice and learning the ways to make our families of diversity feel appreciated and welcomed. As they are the way that we learn about or differences besides other's experiences and text.
One goal that I would like to set for all early childhood education professionals is the ability to continue to learn whether or not we think we are fully knowledgeable about issues related to diversity. Continue to ask questions because, even on issues not related to early childhood education, everyone has different perspectives to bring to the table and therefore a new way of thinking. I encourage us all to collaborate.
Thank you to all my colleagues for their posts, shared insights and experiences. It has been my pleasure to be among some of the brightest, wise most intelligent people so early in the little time that I have been studying in this field. Everyone, I wish you the most success on all future endeavors.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

For this blog assignment we were to find a country that we know nothing about. The country that I chose is Brazil based on the fact my daughter and I love to watch the movie Rio and Rio2. For the most part I have no knowledge on what their culture is about besides the basics shown in the movie, which cannot fully represent their culture to its fullest extent.

Five ways I would prepare myself:

1. I would take the time to learn the basics of Portuguese since that is the native language that is spoken, just in case there are some language barriers to ensure that there can still be good communications which in fact will make the family feel accepted and not misunderstood.

2. Place emphasis on the family structure. Family is very important to people in this country. Most are not as close to extended families as Brazilians are and they tend to be very close with family members and have strong bonds.

3. Learn common gestures used amongst men and women. Common features used generally among men are hand shakes; among women are kisses on the cheek starting with the left then moving to the right cheek.

4. Culture/ way of life. People of a higher class standing do not mingle with people of lower class and always keep the two separate.

5. Etiquette. One should not show up to an event empty handed. A small gift should be brought like a glass of wine, flowers (avoid purple and black they represent mourning) to show gratitude.  It is always important to be overdressed and not more casual and arrive early. If doing business there are other etiquettes to keep in mind.

These will help for a smooth transition and make their culture feel as accepted especially some one took the time to get acquainted with their culture and way of life

The Personal Side of Prejudice, Bias and Oppression

Unfortunately I have had many occurrences with bias prejudices and oppression. One lady that I work with made a very racial comment as she always does. It was just in the store after closing it down, and she says, "I'm sorry I don't mean to be ugly,but I hate how these black women have those big braids and then wrap them in a big 'ol bun and put on top of their heads like that and then put that big 'ol bow in their heads on top of having all that hair pinned on top of their head already. I'm sorry, but black women all follow the same trends."  I just told her, " well, I actually think that it is pretty cute, but I don't like all of my hair pulled off my forehead." I mean clearly I have worked with many diverse people, not meaning diverse based on dominant culture, but diverse among each other. I have worked with black,white Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Indian, Asian and atheist people, to name a few. At the moment it was said I brushed it off. She always makes comments and I normally brush it off, and now I'm getting fed up with hearing those comments about blacks and especially black women.  Black women usually are the target and I happen to be well educated and carry myself in a manner where I'm respectful of everyone's difference and sometimes I exemplify internal oppression especially when it is something ridiculous. However, She is an older white lady in her fifties and was raised in a Time where schools were segregated for a period of time while she was growing up, which may reflect some of views that she may have but I do not think that makes it alright.... I'm not sure how I should respond the next time it happens, as I am already annoyed at the fact. Any suggestions?

Practicing Awareness of Microagression

I believe I see many forms of microaggreessions on a daily basis, they mostly are racial and sexual microaggression.  I have many friends that are homosexual and hey face many different challenges including rude comments like "wow, you're gay and you and your fiance are in the health field with good beneefits" umm, what does being gay have to do with education.  People find ways to place their ignorance on people. The female couple that are my friends are also african american, which also led me to believe that there some racial micragression.  All of us out in public together often get called valley girls because of how well we speak and enunciate.  I want to tell people that not all black people take pride in using broken english and ebonics. I happen to take pride in speaking clearly because I hate to repeat myself.   Most of the stereotypes people think represent the majority of a certain group of people. However, that does not make EVERY person among that group the same.  

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

For this week's assignment, we had to reach out to people that we know and see how they define culture, as well as their own culture. Many of the friends I talked to both different the same race or ethnicity, answered the question needing a little more clarification as to what exactly I meant.

One of my people are asian descent and from the country of Laos.  I asked her what does culture mean to you? Said, "what do you mean like where I'm from?" I then, responded in way, but also things that are common among people of your kind and and any values that kind of define who you are and what your family views as typical depending on your age, sex race, ya know things like that. She proceeded to tell me that, Oh yea, well I am from the country of Laos although most of my family is in Florida, I am Asian and a U.S. citizen, I have a bilingual family with three children, I am a stay at home mom, and wife. It is they way that my culture would prefer it be but I refuse to have anyone other than family watch my kids anyways." this is just an excerpt of how the discussion went. From the little that I did post, One can gather information about the my friend and her values, she basically told me what her family beliefs are which something that we look at as a shallow culture. People sometimes tend to just skim the surface. The other two that I had spoken with, said basically the same thing. Culture meant things to them like, holidays, certain foods that I may eat different from you, the things my family and I believe in and race. I'd say this was something mentioned throughout all of the readings that we have had thus far in the class.

Some of the things that were not mentioned were, things like housing arrangement and class, most others were hit except those that describe monetary standards.  They tend to think that a very successful personal they picture as a white businessman with at least two children with a stay at home wife and a six figure salary i.e. the dominant culture. That had no idea that they had brought in the monetary standing as far as culture.

My Family Culture

Finding just three things to take with me in addition to a change of clothes, make it extremely difficult. Most importantly there are many small items that we cherish. However, I would like to take, my great aunt's blanket that was hand knitted, a family photo album, and a bible. I have chosen these three things because it best represents the values and culture. I chose the blanket because in my family, knitting is view as a marketable skill and ways that a woman contributes to the household, and the warmth that it provides, displays the love and caring from a mother. next, is a family photo album because it will show many different aspects of how we dressed, what family events were like, our idea of fun and value of family. Finally, my bible will provide the value behind believing in a higher being, God. Some may frown upon this notion, but it will still remain my way to cope and survive. However, if I was told that I could only take one thing with me, it would be my bible. I need this in order to keep myself grounded and calm. I believe in God and the strengths he provides me.