What I Have Learned

A hope that I have for children and families of diverse backgrounds, is to have experiences of equality and respect within associations which they exist.  I would like families to have experiences that exclude stereotypical judgments that negatively impact their wellbeing.  I would like children of non-dominant cultures and races to have confidence in their beliefs and inner selves, as well for children of dominant backgrounds to be accepting of others differences.

One goal I would like to set for myself is to continue gaining a sense of awareness related to my personal biases that may have been influenced my media images and societal misconceptions.  By eliminating my own biases I can then use my self-awareness in positive ways.

Thank You everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences related to anti-bias education.  I enjoyed reading your comments.

Creating Art

People may forget what you said or did, but they will never forget the way you make them feel.

Maya Angelou

If you want your children to improve, allow them to overhear you say nice things about others.

Haim Ginott

In their innocence, very young children know themselves to be light and love. If we will allow them, they can teach us to see ourselves the same way 

Bias is bad,
you’re making people sad!
We need to fight,
cause we have the right.
Bias is bad, don’t you see?
We deserve to be free
Let’s shine like the stars we are,
everyone knows we’re not that far.
Us stars’ will never drop,
but the bias has to stop!!!

By Rosebud Karolanie,
Angel Masangane

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

As soon as I read the instructions for this assignment, I immediately thought of an occasion where my son made a comment that embarrassed me in the grocery store.  We were checking out and I was casually chatting with the clerk.  My son said “mommy is that a man”?    I tried to ignore it, but he only got louder so I had to answer.  I said “no of course not”.  He then asked “why does she sound like a man”?  I replied by telling him that everyone is different, and then I tried to make light of his comments by joking with the clerk.  Luckily she did not take it too seriously, or at least it didn’t appear that way.  But, there were other customers around and I felt put on the spot because of my son’s questions.  When we left the store I told my son that we must try not to embarrass people or say things that might hurt their feelings.

I think that my joking of the situation could have possibly influenced my son in the wrong way.  I don’t want him to think that we should laugh at those with differences.  I also don’t want him to think that we can’t speak of others differences.  The message that I was attempting to send is that we must speak and address these things in an appropriate way that is not hurtful.

An Anti-Bias educator may address such an issue by providing examples that a child can understand that involves feelings and differences; including ways of how to address their curiosities.  Perhaps an educator would explain an alternative way of asking questions while respecting others.