Professional Hopes and Goals

My hope for all children is to have access to early education programs regardless of their economic circumstance or cultural background.  I would like to see our state and federal programs take more initiative in implementing quality programs and ensuring equal opportunity to those of diverse backgrounds.  Our children are worth the investment. 

From this course I have learned that each child despite their back ground is subject to acts of discrimination and marginalization.  As educators we need to understand the effects that biases and prejudices have on children in order to prevent and combat the occurrence.  Providing examples of prejudice and discrimination of my own experiences throughout this course has resurfaced many childhood memories and feelings.  My goal is to help children who have or are experiencing these acts overcome their challenges.  Also teaching children in early childhood about diversity will help eliminate these hurtful behaviors.

Thank You to each of my colleagues for encouraging me in this course and for being nonjudgmental about the personal information that I shared of myself.  I have greatly enjoyed the lessons learned and look forward to the next course.  

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The country I chose for this blog assignment is Greece.  This is a country that I am not familiar with, but in the past there was client enrolled in my counseling program whose parents are from Greece.  So I felt this county would be appropriate for this assignment.

1.     I would find an interpreter if needed to communicate

2.     Since individuals from Greece are passionate about their background, culture, and ancestry I would begin by educating myself on the traditions customs of Greece such as the festivals, holidays and foods that have long been a part of the country.

3.     I believe it would be especially important to learn about the countries religious traditions.  For example, the Orthodox Church is very present in education and children have obligations to religious courses and pray all together every morning before starting the classes in private or public schools.  Also is may be useful to learn of Greek the superstitions of religious nature.

4.     It would also be important to learn about Greek communication and family relationships.

5.     Finally I believe it is important to communicate with the family themselves.  Getting to know the individual family unit and build a relationship while understanding their expectations of the program.

I believe that this preparation will help the family feel welcomed and accepted in a new environment.  Also I believe that this will help form a partnership with the family to provide the best care for the child.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

My sister is a single mom with a son who is 4yrs old.  My nephew was born with some GI complications.  He spent his first month in a hospital in California.  My mom and I were in Washington, where we still live.  My sister was working in California and attempting to relocate closer to family.  During her transition my husband and I helped her out by taking over care for her son and overseeing his medical treatment.  I was also 8 months pregnant.  While in my care my nephew became sick again and spent another month 1/2 in the hospital. The social worker at the hospital had set up community resources upon discharge to help me support my nephew at home since he needed ongoing care.  Since I was responsible for his care, his medical assistance and other supports were in my name.  One requirement was that my nephew drinks a special formula that helps babies gain weight.  Since it is for babies with nutritional challenges the formula is very very expensive.  More than twice the cost of regular Enfamil.  I was referred to WIC to cover the cost.  My mom drove me to my first appointment at the WIC office.  When we met with the counselor who completed the intake she made a comment that really disturbed me.  She stated “When you come in to the office we expect respect and patience.  If you come in like where’s my checks, I want my checks now, then we are not going to help you.”  As she said this she was rolling her neck as if imitating someone with a negative attitude.  It caught me off guard at first.  I asked her, "why would you think I would be disrespectful?”  She replied, “we get that a lot in here so I just want to let you know our rules.”  I then told her, “I know how to conduct myself in a professional manner.  I am educated with a college degree, and work in the social service field just as you.  I would never come in to an office yelling or demanding anything from anyone.” 

I’m unsure of the exact reason she made those statements.  Maybe because she thought I was poor; which would mean she has a bias against those of less fortune.  Or because I am a black woman; which would mean she has a bias against black women.  Or perhaps for both reasons.  I personally believe that since I had state medical insurance in my name she categorized me for that reason without knowing anything more about me. But whatever the reason, I was very unhappy when I left the office.  I felt that she made an assumption about my character based on appearance and the fact that I needed WIC to help with the cost of formula for my nephew.  She assumed I was poor, uneducated, unprofessional, and disrespectful.   In that moment I felt judged for needing assistance.  Because she was in an authoritative position it felt as if she looked down upon me.  Had she known anything about my personal life she likely would not have made those statements.  My mom and I discussed this on the way home which helped me get over that experience.  I did see the woman on other occasions when I went in to the WIC office but did not have any more interaction with her.   

I was glad that I spoke up in that situation because I think she needed to know that she should never make assumptions such as that about people.  Hopefully this changed her approach to others who are provided assistance in the program.  She should interact with people on an individual basis without carrying prior experiences in to new introductions. 

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Two weeks ago a friend of mine decided to have a small get together at her home.  I knew all the girls who were attending.  I would consider two of them my friends and the others acquaintances.  I was the only African American girl other than the host who is bi-racial.  I was having a good time.  The atmosphere was light and fun.  One girl who is always a comedian was dancing to the music in a joking manner and we were all laughing.  The radio station played a song called Dougie? (I think)  It’s a rap song that’s out right now and I hear sometimes when listening to the Radio.  There is a dance that goes along with it.   Anyhow, one of the girls said “Oh I like this song.  Come on Leon’e show us how to do the Dougie.”  Well…let’s just say anyone who knows me knows that I cannot dance because I don’t have rhythm.  Also I don’t listen to rap music unless it’s on the radio, which is not very often.  So I am way out of the rap loop.  I replied “I don’t know the Dougie because I’m not cool.”  She laughed and the gathering continued.  I knew at the time that she made either a joke or an assumption, but which ever, there were racial indications behind this comment.  I wasn’t too upset about this because I thought she probably was unaware of what had taken place, especially because we were amongst friends.

This incident did not change my perception of stereotypes.  I have encountered and witnessed many levels of racism, prejudices, and stereotyping.  I do believe that my response to microaggressions with underlying messages of marginalization has changed, at least when directed at myself.  15years ago that experience may have hurt my feelings.  Today I feel that I am better at protecting my feelings. Part of that protection is maturity, self confidence, and understanding differences in others and those hurtful comments aren’t always intentional.  If it were a encounter that significantly bothered me I do believe that I would address it accordingly.