Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have when working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds would be having the power set values and principles that recognize diversity and become aware of cultural bias. 

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to be a loving and compassionate educator for my children and their family.  I want to be able to increase their academic achievement and hope for high expectations for their future.

I would like to say this has been an overwhelming learning experience for me these pass seven weeks.  I have met some caring and considerate classmates who I have enjoyed throughout this course, through your posts and blogs.  I would like to thank my peers and Professor for all of their support in sharing their personal reflections and wish you all LUCK!

Welcoming Families From Around the World

                                        

     

The new child and family I’m going to be working with as a social service therapist is from the country of Tonga.  Even though I know nothing about this country, Tonga; I’m ready to prepare this family with five things that will help them be culturally responsive in their new environment.

1.   I would do some research and give the family information about local translators, medical care, and education in the area

2.   I would learn some basic words that the family use; such as Hello and How may I help you

3.   Learn some of their views about education, that will give me a better sense on how she was treated

4.   Show large labels in the classroom about Tonga’s cultures (food, pictures, people, costumes, and music) and talk about it

5.   Also, do research about their dominant culture, in reference to their race, religion, language, and family structure

I want to make this family feel welcome and hopefully the information will benefit me and the child about her background culture.   By helping me relate more to them on an individual basis, I also want to be a dedicated and supportive therapist they can rely on. Lastly, I want to give their child the best I can give in learning about a new culture.   

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

  

One very unpleasant memory I have is of an incident where I experienced bias, prejudice, and oppression on a hot day while living in the South.   On this particular day, my boyfriend, who is biracial, and I were walking together in a shopping mall, along with my son.  Two little old ladies were standing at the entrance talking and when we walked pass by, one said, “This is unbelievable, everyone should stay with their own color”. 

Without hesitating, we stopped in our tracks and confronted these ladies.  I wanted to know why she said, “I just think it’s just a shame and whites should stay with whites, and blacks should be with blacks”.  One then looked at my boyfriend and said, “You look white and should be with a white girl”.

My boyfriend said, “Well, my mom is black, but my dad is white, so now who should I be with?”  We walked away and left them standing there, with their mouths hanging open.  Although I looked calm, I was simmering on the inside, but I was glad I confronted these two black women.  People are still prejudice about color and their behaviors will change when they want it to change.  We may never be accepted by others, but then we don’t eat or sleep with them, nor do we depend on them. 

Race relations have really increased in this generation and it’s our country that needs to become more accepting of the different cultures.  Individuals that date outside their race still face challenges from bigoted individuals.  Racism exists and it really doesn’t matter where you live, although I have found racism in practiced more openly in the South, where in the North, it is hidden. 

It is my decision to date someone I fell in love with and he just happens to be biracial and together we can overcome any obstacles that come our way. After growing up and learning and knowing better, I have truly begin to accept the way people look at each other.  This is not going to leave and hopefully one day it will get better for future generations, who are more open-minded and tolerant.