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.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

        Racial microaggressions create an unfriendly and invalidating environment for people of color saps their spiritual and psychic energies, and their cumulative nature can result in depression, frustration, anger, rage, loss of self esteem, anxiety, etc.  This microaggression can also occur nonverbally, and their message conveyed to persons of color is that their contribution is irrelevant.

        I, along with my son traveled to Washington DC some time ago for his internship, on a small airliner.  During this time, the plane was not full and there were plenty of empty seats.  One of the flight attendants, which were white, came over and told us we could sit anywhere because the plane was not going to be full.  So, me and my son decided to sit on the front row, we had more leg room and felt very comfortable for the both of us.  All of a sudden, the flight attendant stated if we could go a couple seats back and let a couple sit on the front row. 

        A course this couple was white and wore business type style clothing and appeared to me to look wealthy. We both looked at each other with a negative reaction and asked the question “Are we being singled out because we are black?”  I wish you could have seen the look on her face, with such a surprise.  I felt resentment and angry at the same time, because we felt like we was treated like second class citizens…mainly because of our skin color.  The flight attendant had a reason for every allegation I made towards her.  I was so mad at this lady, and wanted to tell her a piece of my mind; this really left a bad taste in my mouth.  Most white Americans see themselves as decent and good human beings some just possess a biased racial attitude and engage in discriminatory behaviors.

Perspective on Diversity and Culture

I spoke to two friends and one family member of various ages that was willing to share on providing their insight/ideas on how they think culture and diversity is defined. 

Fatima, my best friend stated that culture is your beliefs and values in which you were brought up in, such as your thoughts and beliefs.

Diversity is being able to understand that individuals has different backgrounds such as (religion, gender, and political choices)

Lindsay says that culture and diversity goes hand and hand, meaning when there are particular groups with different ways of living, such as their language, the way they dress, and the foods they eat.

Diversity is when we accept people living different and being able to accept their differences. 

My guy friend, Calvin stated that culture means people having different traditions and beliefs and he bases it on his experience as a gay guy in the society.

Diversity is the aspect that defines one culture from another, depends on where it originated from

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?  I believe every aspect of culture and diversity is included in my answers I received.  For instance, people with different sexual orientations, different lifestyles, and having are rejected by other people.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

I believe deep culture have been omitted from these aspects.  Let’s not forget that we all have different social identities and this contribute to our culture and diversity.

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?  It makes me fully understand what culture and diversity really about and everyone thinks different when it comes to defining what culture and diversity is.  Talking to my friends, made me realize that everyone is aware of the different customs, foods and costumes in other countries.  I enjoyed reflecting on the differences that each individual gave, even if they were right or wrong.  It has been stated that ‘cultural is a unique topic to explore.’

My Family Culture

 

If a major catastrophe hit and completely devastated the infrastructure of my country and I was a survivor and had to move to a completely different country and might have to live there permanently.  The three small items that I would take with me that I hold dear and represent my family culture would be (exluding family/son): 

 

1.  All of my photo albums with pictures of my family and friends

2.  The Holy Bible that was given to me by my grandmother at an early age

3.  Supply of paper and pens to write down everything I did and saw throughout my journey

I would explain to others that these three items means a lot to me.  I love to take pictures and collect photos (old and new).  There are so many memories in a photo, pictures of my son, my family and also my close friends.  I don’t want to forget these memories and always keep them near my heart.

Taking my grandmother’s Holy Bible also means a great deal to me.  She gave me that Bible when I graduated from high school and I continue to read it and go by it.  This is where I get my strength and wisdom, from reading the Bible.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me

Philippians 4:13

I can’t lose staying in touch with my family and friends.  I will write down what I see and what I do on a daily basis, so when we do reunite, I will have an awesome story to tell.  I love to talk about different sights and people I met along the way.

Upon arrival and I have to give up two of my personal items and keep one, they would be the paper and pencils and the photo album. This will be so much pain in leaving behind my pictures of my family and friends.  I do know, the Holy Bible will continue to guide me and give me the strength that I most definitely need in times like these. 

I also did gain some insight about myself during this exercise, along with my family culture and cultural differences.  It really made me realize the importance of material things verse the importance of my family and friends.  Just the thought about moving to another country, away from my friends and family would break my heart.  This really makes me want to re-evaluate my priorities of what comes first in my life.  I don’t like to take things for granted, but some things you cannot change.

“We have the ability to achieve, if we master the necessary goodwill, a common global society blessed with a shared culture of peace that is nourished by the ethnic, national and local diversities that enrich our lives.”

Mahnaz Afkhami (Iranian-American Human rights activist; b. 1941)

When I Think of Research...

When I started this course, I already knew that I did not possess much knowledge on how to properly research and after reviewing the course content, I realized that I would face many challenges with this course. I was thrill to learn how much thought has to go into creating just the right research question in my assignment; every aspect had to be  planned out before establishing a research project.  I learned how to research material the correct way and it made me more effective and efficient and this skill will be very helpful in the future, because there is quite a bit of research involved in the early childhood education field.

While planning my research, there are many facts and issues to address. First, you should consider which research design best fit your topic.  Because, ethics is very important and must be well thought-out, along with validity; also how statistics will be composed and if there will be any fairness in the procedure.

I found the differences between quantitative and qualitative research to be very challenging. Dr. Kien provided web links to assist in our discussions questions and this really helped me understand the different topics. Fortunately, with the help of my colleagues, I successfully completed this course. I now look upon researchers, in the early childhood field, with respect; because they go the extra step in improving the classroom and helping the children become more successful.

A warm and heartfelt thank you to my colleagues in Group 1, because reading your discussion posts and your helpful responses helped me to better understand the topics, therefore ensuring I was on the correct path. Again, thank you, Dr. Kien for your patience, encouragement, and sharing your knowledge with us while conducting this course.  

Research around the World

 

Early Childhood Australia

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au  

I have chosen to research the Early Childhood Australia website.  I did notice some of the topics in this particular site are similar to topics in the US websites.

Their mission statement is to advocate making sure quality, social justice and equity in all the issues relating to education and care of children from the age of birth to eight years old and securing the best options and outcomes as they grow.

Some of their values are:

• The rights of children
•   Leadership, excellence and respect
•  Courage, honesty and openness
•  Collaboration and diversity
•  Justice
• Social inclusion of children

Early Childhood Australia is a peak national, non-profit and non-government organization that acts in the interest of young children.  It assures quality knowledge and information to those who are need of it and also work with government, early childhood professionals, parents, and various organizations.

If you decide to have a membership of Early Childhood Australia it will enable you to:

1. be a voice for young children
2. receive discounted access to our quality assured publications and conferences
3. be kept abreast of early childhood news and happenings
4. network with others in the field through your local branch
5. identify issues and influence policies concerning the care and education of young children

This year they will be celebrating Early Childhood Australia (ECA) celebrates 75 years of continued service to Australian children. Started in 1938 as the ‘The Australian Association of Pre-School Child Development’ and the longevity of the organization is testament to its leaders and members.

What surprise me is how Australians creates a vision for high quality inclusive practices in early childhood education and care. It will assist everyone in ECEC services, as well as support professionals, to fully include children with a disability and to achieve high quality outcomes for all children. It will also provide a framework for the development and implementation of policy and programs designed for all young children.