Professional Hopes and Goals

Throughout this course, I have acquired knowledge about the many ways in which I, as a professional can support children and their families who come from diverse backgrounds. This support will allow me to:

• build better professional relationships with families
• foster equity and social justice
• develop partnerships within the community
• create a welcoming and diverse environment

By utilizing these perspectives, my hope that my classroom is one that provide inspiration parents, children, community members and others as it relates to diversity equity and social justice.

One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field in relation to diversity, equity and social justice is to continue to foster change as rapidly as society changes.

I would like to thank my colleagues for their words of wisdom, encouragement and for sharing their personal and professional experiences. I wish you all success and good luck in the future.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The country I found that piqued my interest in is Malawi. Malawi is located in southeast Africa that is encompassed with beautiful land and wildlife. With a population of 13,603,181 natives, who speak the native tongue of Chichewa and also English, this country maintains its rich African culture and heritage.

If I was working in an early childhood setting in a hospital and a family emigrated from Malawi, I would prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards the family by: 1) conducting personal research on the country's deep culture as well as surface culture 2) begin to learn the native language of Chichewa to have effective communication with the family 3) communicate with the family about their wants, needs and expectations from the hospital as it relates to their culture and heritage 4) create a training for those working with the family to provide an understanding of the culture and 5) create an environment that will be welcoming to the family by labeling the hospital in both Chichewa and English.

By preparing myself and the hospital for the family, I hope that I will be able to assist the family, myself and the hospital by providing an environment that encourages cultural differences. I also hope that the family would educate both myself and others to increase our knowledge on their native land and daily activities to decrease the instances of microaggressions and any form of an "ism."

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression

Being an African-American woman entails having countless incidents of bias, prejudice and oppression directed towards you in both overt and overt ways. One particular incident involved myself and some childhood friends of mine. We were walking to school as we were all middle school-aged children. During the early to mid-nineties there was an influx of skinheads in our area and increased racially motivated violence. Skinheads are a subgroup of youth that make their stance of white power known through violence and antagonizing other races of people. As we were walking and talking we head a car speed behind of really fast and the dreaded "n-word" being used numerous times. Our initial reaction was to run to a safe place, which we did but we never left one another's side. Safe to say we made it to school without further incident and reported the information to the proper authorities and school personnel.

As I think about this incident feelings of anger, frustration, fear, relief and trust pop into my mind. Anger and fear come to mind as I remember being fearful for what may happen to a group of children from black, white and bi-racial ethnicity's. The feelings of relief and trust come about as I am thankful and blessed that we were safe. I also say trust because that incident brought us pre-teens closer together. My feelings of frustration as it is 2012 and I continue to hear about incidents such as this and some incidents more graphic and violent that involves bias, prejudice, oppression and some form of an "ism."

This incident diminished the diversity that is prevalent in this country and in my local neighborhood by continuance of the overt use of white privilege, the use of power over others, racism, and superiority. At that time, I believed that the rights that my ancestors and other fought and died for were in vain. This incident also taught me that anyone can be treated in an unjust and unfair way. In order for such as incident to changed for an opportunity for greater equity, the mindsets of both the skinheads and even the group I was with would have to change. These mindsets and beliefs include:inferiority and superiority, power, and so on.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week we we asked to share an example of a microaggression that we have witnessed or that has happened in the past. We are aware that microaggressions occur daily and that they are the source of various negative emotions to their victims. One incident in which I observed this week occurred when I was in a passenger in the car with a Caucasian male friend and we stopped at a store to purchase items before going to a mutual friends home. After went purchased our items, we retreated back to the car. As we fastened our seat belts, there was a group of young black males who appeared to be walking past the car. My friend quickly looked his car doors with what I automatically assumed was "fear." The males walked past the car and into the store without incident. I immediately began to discuss this matter and his actions. He began to state that his actions were a "natural reaction." As I began to questions his feelings and thoughts as to why this behavior was natural to him, he stated that it was a behavior that was learned from his friends and family. I further questioned his childhood and questioned his feelings, emotions and behaviors if these behaviors were directed towards him because he is a homosexual. At this time, he has yet to answer me but did text me to apologize for his actions. I responded by accepting his apology but he was further informed that he and I would discuss this matter more thoroughly.

I wanted my friend to understand that treating others differently based on their looks is wrong. I also wanted to discuss his experiences as a gay male. I hope he realizes that the microaggressions, discrimination and prejudice that he becomes a victim of are the same microagressions, discrimination and prejudice that he displayed in front of me.

This observation conjures of experiences that I have been involved in and assists me in having empathy for the victims and anger/pity for those who committed the offense.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

In obtaining perspectives on culture and diversity, I received information from a 30-year-old African-American female who is involved in a domestic partnership, a 45-year-old, single African-American female who with a school-aged child and a 21-year-old involved in an interracial relationship.

The first interviewee states that culture is "your ethic background, history and beliefs and diversity is being able to adapt to other cultures, races and beliefs.

The second interviewee states that culture is "a set of beliefs, attitudes and ideas from a group of people and diversity is the knowledge, attitudes and relationships with those whose cultures differ from one's own culture."

The final interviewee states that culture is the "practices and behaviors of one's background and diversity is being open to difference whether it be individuals or a group of things."

Collectively, I believe that all of the interviewees understand the general definition of culture and diversity. There similar idea of culture being a way of life, behaviors and attitudes and similar to what I have learned thus far. I would also add the food people eat, the music they listen to, and other daily aspects of their lives that are influenced by their culture. The interviewees discussed diversity in terms of acceptance of others and their culture. Diversity does involve acceptance of others, their culture, beliefs, attitudes, opinions and etc.

In reading and interpreting other's perspectives of culture and diversity, I believe that understanding both topics is a matter of learning and growing. I also believe that culture and diversity will be are essential in learning about human nature and most importantly, one's self.

My Family Culture

If my immediate family and I were evacuated to a host country with different cultures, three items that I would bring with me include: my Bible, a cookbook and a picture of my immediate and extended family. I would choose these three items as they are items that keeps my family together. My Bible is the foundation of the family and through God and our faith we understand that God is with us at all times. I would also share our family scripture, Proverbs 3:6 "In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." This scripture after every prayer at all family events; as it is recited by my 90-year-old great-grandmother, so it is very near and dear to me. Although, it is may seem simple, a cookbook is important because it will bring memories of how my parents have taught me to cook and also bring memories of family cook-outs, dinners and any other celebration that brings the family out from their busy schedules. Being with family is very important to me and food is a way that we show our love and appreciation to one another. Two recipes that I would share are my grandmother's strawberry cake and my mother's baked macaroni and cheese. My last item that I would bring is a picture of my immediate and extended family. We are a small family so extended family is also considered immediate family. This includes my uncles, aunts, cousins, and nephews. I would point out every family member and explain their relationship to me and the importance as each person holds a very special place in my heart. If told that I could only keep one item and I had to give up two items I would be very upset to the point of crying hysterically and then anger but knowing that my memories will help me remember my family and culture, I believe that I would eventually come to terms with this rule.

One insight that I have learned from this exercise is that all the things that I make important in life such as a phone or computer are not as important as I think they are. I also learned that my values, beliefs and relationships with my family are more important than any device and have long-lasting effects on me which I can then teach others.

When I Think of Research...

This course has both refreshed and increased my frame of reference by providing me with a more in-depth explaination of the research process. I have learned new topics and ways to create and implement such aspects of research as: data collection and most importantly the differences between quantitative and qualitative research. Due to the knowledge I have acquired during this course, I have learned how to proprerly conduct research. Through the utilization of research techniques such as direct observations, interviewing and sampling; any future research that I conduct will be better implemented. Some challenges that I found included narrowing my my hypothesis and redesigning my research simulation according to the topic of the week. I found that these challeges to be difficult especially while redesigning my research as my knowledge about research increased.

I believe that as I further my education, experiences and career(s) in the early chilhood field, I will continue to look at this field with multiple sets of lenses. As I incorporate research with my perceptions of the field, my respect for the field and researchers increases as research is a vital role in the field. I will also continue to remain abreast of any new research to continue to learn.