Perspectives on Diversity and Equity in the Masters in Early Childhood (MSEC) program

This is the final blog for the course Perspectives on Diversity and Equity in the Masters in Early Childhood (MSEC) program from Walden University. One hope and also a goal I have when I think about working with young children and families who come from diverse background is to help the them relate to each other as neighbors and classmates. This class has helped me face my own biases and sense of privilege. I want to help others in the same way to accept and interact with others not in their social identities without prejudice.

I want to thank my classmates and colleagues in this emerging field of early childhood development for sharing their thoughts and experiences in class. I also want to thank our professor for his guidance through this course.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Week 7's blog assignment is to prepare for a child and family from another country to enter our center. The following statements are to prepare for this new student and her family.

Name 5 things I would do to prepare for a child and family who's home country is India:
1.  Google the country, state, and city where the family comes from and read as much as possible about the country.
2.  Find out about the language of the family.
3.  Find out about food items that can be added to the menu from the family's country.
4.  Ensure the classroom setting has signs of the family's country on the walls, in the books, and in the lesson plans.
5.  Update the teachers and staff about the new family's traditions and language.

It is our center’s responsibility to ensure that the child feels as comfortable as possible when entering the classroom culture. The child should not be made to feel inferior because the family is from a different country. Informing the staff to include in the classroom setting language, food, and pictures from the child’s home country will make her feel more welcome to a new environment.

Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

Week six of the course Perspectives on Diversity and Equity asked that we recall an incident when we experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression.

A few years ago I was in a major metropolitan city here in the U.S. on a speaking engagement. One of my dearest friends flew in to meet with us at the church. At the time he was a professor of economics at a well known university. He was having trouble with his vocal chords and could not speak. He taught by sign language through an interpreter. He carried documentation in his pocket of this and wears a medical bracelet. He is a handsome 6 foot 1, black, bald headed man and was probably 250 lbs then. He rented a car from the airport and was driving where we were waiting. However, he was pulled over by the police and they were trying to question him. When he didn't (couldn't) respond they pulled him out of the car, handcuffed him, and searched the car. His means of communication was handcuffed and when he wouldn't talk to the police they arrested him.

A black, bald, tall man (the description) had stolen a car. While we wondered where our friend was, he sat in jail from Friday afternoon til Monday in order to tell the judge who he was because the arresting nor booking officers didn't care to look at his bracelet, nor papers to figure out what the problem was.    

When we found out late Monday night what happened we were shocked and angry. Of course he sued the city and won the case. However, a long time of bias and prejudice was shown by every officer in this event. This was not the first nor last time that mistaken identity has caused him to be questioned by police. This was an injustice done to an affluential, academic man.  In order for these kinds of events to change, the dominate culture and other cultures must change the attitudes that all people in a group look, act, and think the same.

MICRO-AGGRESSIONS

Microaggression is any verbal behavior that causes marginalization whether intended or unintended in everyday situations that cause indignities, invalidations, and harm to others (Laureate, 2010).

For this week's assignment we are to recall a time when we were faced with microaggression. I remember shopping in a department store not too long ago. It was midweek and there were many housevies and middle aged women shopping (from what I could see). However, everywhere I turned and every time I looked up, I saw the 'house' detective. What is funny is that she didn't remember me from 20 years prior when I also worked for that store. She was hired around the same time I was hired as a clerk.
At first I just laughed within myself that she hadn't remembered me. But more than an hour later she was still following me. I finally stopped and stared at her until she realized that I had noticed her. She disappeared silently. 

I felt as if I was singled out in the store as I was the only woman not of the dominant culture shopping. In this case I was insulted for two reasons, she didn't recognize me as a former co-worker and she singled me out as a potential shop-lifter. This micro-aggression in my case was microinsult.
Stereotyping individuals may harm them causing microinsult and microassault. We must try to understand and get to know people as individuals with their own attributes and characteristics.
 Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions [DVD]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Culture and Diversity

I emailed 2 friends (who are college professors), and a pastor (who is Hispanic) asking them to define culture and diversity for my class assignment. These are the replies I received.

Camacho -

Culture =The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought.  

Diversity = The fact or qualities of being differ; difference. Perspective on diversity = The difference of the culture would be in language, word meanings, clothes, foods, and/or skin tones.

Baldwin -    

Culture is the ideals and values and views that are based on a political, social, economic, enviroment that are associated with distinct group

Diversity is the many different thoughts and cultures that different ethic groups bring

Ryan -

Culture is the way a specific ethnic group acts because of certain beliefs.

Diversity is various views and beliefs of different groups of people.

I believe that my friends and associate have touched the surface of these definitions. In our week 3 lesson we have understood that those things that form our total identities are not always seen and includes all aspects of our lives. These answers are vague and general (in my opinion), compared to what has been presented on the lesson.  

CULTURE SHOCK

This blog continues for the MSEC program that I am matriculating through. This course concentrates on diversity and equity. This exercise requires us to list three items we would take with us if we were unexpectedly required to move to another country that has a different culture than my own.

Three items I would choose that connects me to my family’s culture are:

1.       The Holy Bible (KJV) – My Parents raised us according to the way they interpreted the text of the Bible. My parents, siblings, and I strive to live by this book every day of our lives. As early as I can remember, we were encouraged and instructed from the writings of this book. My first reading experiences were from this book. My career is centered around studying, interpreting, and making presentations from this book and the same goes for 4 out of 5 of the children that were blessed to my parents.

This book would be the one thing I would hold on to if I could only have one item. I cannot imagine life without being able to open this book daily and read or study verses from the pages.  The other items I can live without (in a different culture). However, no matter where I am I can take, use, read, study, memorize, and apply this book to my life.

2.       My lap top and charger – This is chosen because most of my life is spent somehow using the computer. I am connected with my family through my laptop by email, Skype, and social networking.

Most of my work is on my hard drive and backed up. Most of my work is through, in, or around the church where my father is pastor and my siblings are a part of the ministry in different facets.  So even if we are separated I can maintain memories of our culture.

I keep pictures of my family, family and church events on my lap top. Even if I forget food items, I have pictures of food from our family gatherings.

3.       My cell phone and charger– If there are cell towers I suppose I can stay in touch with my family via the phone.  I have a sister I call every Sunday morning that lives in another state. I have another sister that lives 2 hours away. We talk often. Text messaging is quick and easy ways to keep in touch with my parents and siblings. However, it is my siblings’ children that text more often. My nieces and nephews love Aunt Jayme.

Two out of the three items I chose appear to be solely materialistic. However, these items connect me to my family’s culture more than anything I can think of now. I am also assuming there is electricity and cell towers where I would be relocated. I realize that my family is mainstream when it comes to technology. It seems we all upgrade to the trends. My father at 72 is a gadget man; bought the I-Pad before any of us had one. Now he carries it around as he used to carry his Bible. My Mom however, is still having trouble with the cell phone.   

When I travel for more than 4 or 5 days I start craving fried chicken, collard greens, and corn bread and holidays I must have sweet potato pie and German chocolate cake. I was thinking maybe I should be taking an African American cookbook. However, I can add that on my lap top.

Final Blog for Issues and Trends in the Early Childhood Field course

I really am enjoying learning and advancing my career with Walden University in the MSEC program. The practical, timely, and relevant information has enhanced my personal and professional life. During this 8 week course three positive consequences of learning about the international early childhood field are:
     1.  Phone conversations with professionals in my field in other countries and realizing that that they have the same concerns and desires as I do - to assist in improving young children's lives by giving them an advantage through education.
     2.  An increased drive to improve our child care facility to assist our care givers in working toward a more cohesive unit to educate dual language learners.
     3.  New friendships formed with EC providers where we can share more ideas and concerns in the future.

The EC field needs to have avenues where EC professionals can more easily communicate with each other and learn from each country's culture, practicing, and accomplishments in the field. Books, articles, and journals are published but there is nothing like one on one contaact with a colleague in your field.

I've enjoyed interacting with my classmates and appreciate the information I have received from them. Thank you all. Congratulations on accomplishing another task working towards your goals. Thanks Dr. Dartt for your guidance through this course. Grace and peace be with you all.