The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)
In all of my academic endeavors, my hope is that I become a better educator, provider, and advocate for children and their families.  Families from diverse backgrounds already have to face adversity from multiple avenues.  If I can be any assistance to and for them, I will consider myself successful.

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length)
One goal that I would like to see that the early childhood field, in general, become more flexible.  Many ece professionals like to approach all children the same.  I have met many families who left other centers because they did not feel they were valued.  Each family is special and should be celebrated for their individuality and uniqueness. 

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues
Over the last 8 weeks, I have had the pleasure of reading the works of some of this worlds most wonderful minds.  I appreciate how I have been able to learn and grow as an educator from their points of view.  I have adopted some of their philosophies and approaches.  I thank each and every one of them for making me better.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The family I chose is from Bangladesh
The riverine country of Bangladesh (“Land of the Bengals”) is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and its people are predominantly Muslim. The family is central to one’s social life in Bangladesh, forming the basis of individuals’ support networks. 
The general approach to family ties is communal, and people often act in the best interests of the community rather than based on their individual preferences. Generally, children are expected to consult their parents on major life choices such as their education and marriage. This is slowly changing, with some people making decisions without deliberating with their parents.  The most common family unit in Bangladesh is called the ‘barhi’. This consists of a husband and wife, their unmarried children, and their adult sons with their wives and children.   it is common to find married sons living in their parents’ household during the father’s lifetime, and grandparents may also be present depending on the family’s economic and personal situation. While sons often build separate houses for their nuclear families, they remain under their father’s authority.


At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

• I will commit to learning about this family.  Ask questions, talk with parents, community members and colleagues, read books, watch movies, listen to music.  
• Develop cohesive and comprehensive multicultural curricula in general.  Show and celebrate all cultures equally.  Ensure that the family understands that everyone is valued in the classroom environment. 
• Show respect to all backgrounds and cultures. By respecting cultural differences and adding education related to the culture of the students, programs become inclusive.
• Be aware of your own actions and working to shift your mindset into ones that are culturally inclusive and open-minded.
• Show no bias or judgment.  Give the children an opportunity to use their voice and talk about themselves and their families.  Include their family in the classroom.

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

Using the aforementioned steps, I can build a better relationship with the families and the children.  It opens the doors of positive communication.  the children will be enthusiastic about learning and coming to class.  the parents will be relieved of the stress of worrying about who is caring for their child.  I will ensure that they understand that I embrace their culture and teach tolerance and respect to the children.  By embracing implementing culturally responsive teaching principles effectively, my classroom environment can become a more positive learning environment for all of your students it all starts with me.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

Everyday I am faced with bias prejudice and oppression.  I have learned to ignore it mostly.  But everytime that it occurs I ask myself, Did that just happen? Did that happen to me? And like my mother says I have to make a decision, take time to confront the bias or prejudice or leave it alone.  I am always at the crossroads of choosing my battles.  It has happened in my social life, as I watched television, in my educational endeavors and professionally.  In each experience, I have to think if it is worth the battle and possible consequence of confrontation, or if I can live with it and be minimally affected.   Sadly more often than naught, I choose to live with it and focus on other things.

For years, one of my favorite movies was Sixteen candles. I have watched this movie many times.  However, I watched it recently and a feeling of disgust overcame me and I was very disappointed and vowed to never watch the movie again.  There is a part where all of the teenagers are having a party at one of of the main characters home.  The children were underage drinking and one of the antagonist females had way too much to drink and visibly impaired.  In order for the heartthrob in the movie to get what he wanted, he traded her to someone who was a virtual stranger to him.  He even said you can do whatever you want to her.  The young man did in fact do whatever he wanted with her.  He stopped to see his friends and attempted to take photographs of her.  The movie even alluded to a sexual encounter that she could not have consented to in her condition.  As I watched this movie I thought about how many times the writers of the movie felt is was okay to repeatedly victimize the female character.   Not only did it make light of a very real issue in our world then and now, it promoted rape culture.  I had never before paid attention to how wrong this idea was.  But because of the recent focus on cultural appropriateness, it was a flashing red light.  Hopefully, the media has matured from this type of senseless and harmful humor.   Women are not things to be passed around and treated however, men choose.  This attitude has been reiterated by the President of the United States, as well as many prominent figures of Hollywood and government.  This type of thinking is antiquated and in my opinion evil.
As an African American woman, I am often faced with the decision of whether to be for racial equality or women's rights.  I am a survivor of sexual assault and when I see the issue of women's rights glossed over as a trend, or being made into a joke,  I become angry. Young girls should not have to learn to be silent and take maltreatment from men or anyone.   It is my goal to empower young women and help them understand their rights as women and their strength.  I will walk beside and behind anyone who moves with the intent to fight the injustices against women.