Welcoming Families From Around the World

Turkey

My director has just informed me that I will be having a new family coming from Turkey! This is so exciting! I better get ready!

To prepare for myself and my students for our new family's arrival these are the five things I would like to do:

1.  I would have the students learn to say hello is turkish which   is "Merhaba"

2.  I would learn about the culture, traditions and holidays.

3.  I would make a cubby tag that represents her country.             (Maybe the flag because I think it is pretty cool.)

4.  I would have a brand new newsletter ready for them that will
contain almost all the information needed along with an  
excited welcome note.
5.  Find out what games the children play in Turkey and re-create it. 

My hope in these preparations are to make sure that the child is comfortable and welcomed. I want the family to know that we are not here to change who he/she is or have him/her forget their where they came from. We would like to provide continuity and learn from them to see how we can incorporate things from their country into the classroom setting. 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.



Again, this class is so timely. In such a time now where bias, prejudice and oppression is now becoming more evident than it has in some time now; there are lot of actions that are taking place that are just plain unjustified. Over the past couple of months I, we have witnessed a number of murders of unarmed black men shot and killed by police officers. It really is sad that people are considered a threat or dangerous simply because of the color of their skin. And to think it is coming from those who are suppose to protect and serve.




In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

These incidents brings up past hurts, pains, unresolved issues that the history of United States was built on, made up of such as slavery, discrimination, prejudice and racism. When these incidents occur it has us thinking, "Has anything really changed?" and the truth something things have and some things remain the same. 
  

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

This is such a tricky question because not all white people are racist and I can't say to stay away from them or even hate all police. I would have to say to be realistic black people will probably never be treated %100 equal. There will always be someone or something that has it out for us or even black for whites because of our history. What does need to happen is a real talk and resolve about issues concerning race. Police officers are being sent on paid leaves for murdering people for not other reason other than the color of their skin. If these things keep happening and the system keeps siding with police then it could be the beginning of a war. We have to begin to hold people accountable for their wrongdoings and stand up for the oppressed, the ones who don't have a voice. We all have to have the same goal in mind: unity and equality.

Awareness of Microaggression

Awareness of Microaggression


Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

Almost 2 years ago I was working with my assistant teacher at school. The majority of this school were white women, me being one of two black women. Her and I had grown to be pretty close. We cracked jokes back and forth, had fun at work often. One day she was calling her husband on the classroom phone during nap time and I told her to tell him I said hi. She repeated to me what he said which was, "what's up nigga". I was completely stunned but did not want it to be awkward between us. I was so confused in my feelings. I wanted to retaliate, I want to be so angry and go off on the both of them. It really bothered me. I went home and told my boyfriend and he was not too thrilled about it and another co-worker did not like it either. I ended up expressing my feelings to the assistant director and she said that I should definitely say something if not, she would handle it. I ended up talking to my assistant teacher about it and she expressed her sincerest apologies explaining that he did not mean it in a negative way. This microaggression was in the form of a microinsult. I say both because being that he is a white man and me, a black woman he knows my history and his and that word packs such negative power coming from a white person, especially one that I don't know that well. I lost a little respect for him that day.

In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people

Well, today another black man was shot in the street that was unarmed and intended to cause no harm (at least to my knowledge). Observing the world around me the dominant culture has no real clue as to the things they do that cause harm to inferior culture. Just the other day a white man here in Memphis tried to rob a lady and the police did NOT shoot him. Everyday my culture, my people experience all of these microaggressions in one way, shape or form. That is what I have observed this week.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture 

Every answer that was stated in my interviews were basically the same. Of course the basics were covered such as religions, races and backgrounds. 

I interviewed three friends and their response to the questions were all rather similar 

Response 1- Culture part of a group that think/believes the same things. Diversity: many different people of all backgrounds who have different cultures

Response 2- Culture is the environment you were raised in. Diversity: is a mixture of culture, race and religion.

Response 3- Culture is a combination of beliefs and traditions that help shape who we are as a people  and our way of life. Diversity: is the many different types of cultures, backgrounds, races, religions, gender, etc. 

Aspects that were omitted were things such as disabilities, language, socioeconomic status, etc. 

Looking at those I know and love response to the questions shows just how limited our view is on what culture and diversity is. We never really take the time to look beyond the surface. Which affects how we connect with with adults, children etc. Its shows how much we know or what we consider to be our culture and what diversity is. I really want to understand more about what my culture actually is and look beyond the surface in my life and those that I serve. 

My Family Culture

My Family Culture

The three items I would have for my family would be a battery operated radio so that we can get updates on the that catastrophe and information about where and how we should evacuate. Another item would be flashlight so that we could see where we are going in case it gets dark while we are traveling or if we have to travel by foot. Last supply I would take would be water to drink and/or clean food, clothes, drink etc. with. If I had to keep one personal item and had to give up the other two it would be the battery operated radio. I would feel uneasy about it of course, but at least the radio can inform me about what is going on around me. 

This exercise helped me to realize that I need to work on my survival skills and goes to show that this new culture would not know what to do if a true catastrophe struck. However, I think that when my culture is in a fight or flight situation we always find the fight in us. Its embedded in who are based upon our history of oppression. We have always fought and still are. 

When I Think of Research

When I Think of Research

In this course I have learned that research is ever growing, ever learning. It never stops and no one research hold the absolute correct answer to an issue. How can it? People are forever changing, the world is forever changing. What research does is provide a number of solutions to one problem during that moment of time in the world. My entire outlook of research has changed and my predictions were correct. Research can be quite difficult and even when it is a subject you are passionate about. Frustrations can kick in. Research is not for the weak and it is definitely something that you embark on with a true passion for the problem and the resolve. When conducting research it takes a lot reading, doing the same thing multiple times, refining questions, finding the best way to research etc. Some of the challenges I faced were, obviously, frustration and boredom. I honestly knew this would happen since I do not have experience reading so much information with numbers and so on. Frustration sat in when I was trying to form the research question. I just could not seem to get my wording together, but finally at the end I got it and that was an awesome small win for me. Reading so much information in a short amount of time with background information, a list a mile long of references and then researching those references along with reading the same information over and over again allowed boredom to set in. Which is why I stated earlier that you must have a heart for the problem and the resolve. My passion for answers is what guided my through and every time I hit a "boring" moment, I remember why I was doing this research. My perception remains the same that the fact of the matter is that early childhood professionals are some the hardest working, selfless people I know and it I can seem to be unrecognized at times. 

Research that Benefits Children and Families Option 2

If I possessed the means and knowledge to conduct my own research I would conduct a study on childhood obesity in low-income areas, how to prevent it and how it could help those low-income communities in a positive way. As we know childhood obesity is a growing epidemic and a lot of early learning programs are beginning to take the initiative to introduce healthy foods to the students they serve. What I would I like to do is to speak with families and learn their concerns with healthy foods (i.e too expensive, not enough tasteful options, time consuming, etc.) I would find out what is the reasoning behind buying unhealthy foods, where does the relationship with food stem from, or do they simply not know what to look for or what is considered healthy. Bringing families in together and teaching children and their families about healthier options, building a better relationship with food could be something that connects school and home, a consistency children need. Families can see how the school cares and build a great partnership, thus bringing a positive change to the community and families.