Professional Hopes and Goals

As I look to the future, my hope for children and families is that each person is recognized and celebrated for their differences. Each family provides a learning opportunity that can easily be missed in managing the daily hustle. I will strive to not only take the time with families and colleagues, but to listen....truly listen to their hopes, desires, expectations, and needs. My purpose will be to assist them in the acclimation to their new surroundings without sacrificing who they are.


My goal for the field of early learning is that we move beyond the token classroom diversity items to truly welcome our families. A welcoming environment needs to be more than a handful books with various races, multicultural dolls and play food. We need to share beliefs, traditions, recipes, and culture. Let the past help drive us to a new positive future. We need to make our classrooms meaningful and a 2nd home to all.


I would like to thank all of my colleagues who have read my posts and left comments. Your positive feedback in this journey has been astounding. A special thank you to Susan who's posts are always so articulate on the discussion boards and her blog. I commend you for your passion in striving for equality for all. You are a role model and I have learned so much from you.

Bosnia

     For this week's assignment, I chose the country of Bosnia. We have many families from Bosnia in our city yet none of them have transitioned to my facility as of yet. I would begin my researching the country to learn more about the general culture of Bosnia such as what languages are spoken and what religions are practiced prior to them enrolling. I would talk with the family and utilize an interpreter if needed to expand upon these topics and gain insight into their family beliefs and expectations of my program. In doing internet research, I have learned that most Bosnian families are Muslim and they live in larger communities. I recognize that I would need to put my biases aside and value the family as one with different experiences that we can all learn from. I envision myself meeting with the local Multicultural Resource Center to obtain more information and look for ways to ensure the family felt valued in our program. I would be looking for activities or practices that we could incorporate into our day as well as triggers for unintentional biased messages. I believe that I would incorporate the lead teacher if not the entire team into this planning and be as open in communication as possible. We would need to consider the learning and socialization styles of the child and family. If they are reserved and preferred to play alone, how can we support them where they are without trivializing their beliefs.


     Overall, I believe that these preparations would be meaningful to the family and my center by providing a peace of mind. My goal would be to have at least a small part of home in their surroundings. In the process, the awareness of differences and likenesses would be expanded.

Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

During my high school and college years, I worked at a local mom and pop type grocery store/deli. We did a booming business and funneled through many customers throughout the day. In working with people, many opportunities arise to observe interactions amongst parties. I had worked with a great guy who was very upbeat and sang while he worked. Everyone loved working with him and many of our customers came in to see him "perform". One day we had an elderly gentleman who appeared to be in a bad mood and wanted some items from the deli. My coworker called his number and cheerfully asked what he could get for him. The man looked at him and rolled his eyes then told him that he would wait for me to wait on him as he didn't want a black man touching his lunchmeat. I was mortified and didn't know how to respond to such ignorance. Here was a man who loved his job and loved serving people. Not many people come to work with a smile on their face especially with a job that barely pays above minimum wage. I saw his shoulders drop and spring briefly leave his step. My coworker's demeanor changed, but only briefly. It was like he swallowed a bad pill then looked at the man and asked again what he could get for him. I informed that man that I could not wait on him but that my coworker would be happy to assist him. The customer muttered something under his breath and walked out of the store. The surrounding customers began to comment on the man's ignorance and support my coworker. After the man left, my coworker excused himself to the break room and cried.


I see that the bias the man had cut my coworker like a knife. I often wonder what the response would be if he came back into the store. I feel I should have spoke up and said something more supportive of my coworker, but I was honestly in shock. We both do the same jobs and his color has nothing to do with the service he provides. I worked through the remaining customers and then gave him a hug. He explained that in the past he may have gotten funny looks from people, but has never had someone be so brazen to make a comment like that to his face. I understand I may have bias as the customer was older and I assume that when he was younger that race mattered in some degree. I believe we need to change the mindset of the public and look at the service provided. I believe the customer's attitude and acceptance would need changed to provide greater equity.