Professional Hopes and Goals

Professional Hopes:

I hope that I continue to learn about the families I work with and learn more about other cultures and lifestyles.  I hope that I can make all the families and children I work with feel welcome to my classroom and program, appreciated, and included.  In addition I hope that I continue to analyze and reflect on my own biases and am able to learn and grow through this self-reflection.  I hope that all the families and children I work with feel represented, acknowledged, valued, and feel that they have a voice in my classroom.  I truly believe it is essential that children see themselves and their families represented within the classroom and program.  In the words of Maya Angelou: "We should all know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color".   I would add to that no matter what their color, sexuality, gender, age, race, or ethnicity. 

 
One goal that I would set forth for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to continue educating our communities, programs, and future teachers on the importance of valuing diversity.  With diversity, equity, and social justice we can build a brighter future for our world.

I would like to also thank my fellow colleagues.  It is has been a pleasure working and learning with and from each of you.  I continue to grow and learn and appreciate all of your feedback and encouragement.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

I think the earliest memory of bias, prejudice, and oppression that I have is when we lived in Germany.  I was 16 years old and me and my girlfriends went into the city to look for and buy prom dresses.  My mother is German and I am fluent in the language so I usually did the talking or asking of prices, sizes, etc.  One of my girlfriends was biracial, another was Italian with dark hair, dark eyes, and the other girl had red hair and had a very southern accent.  We went into a shop and I guess the clerk did not realize that I was with the girls and she told me in German to keep my purse close to me because there were "Americans" in the shop and they were very suspicious.  At first I was appalled and then I thought I would ask why they were suspicious.  She told me that there were two who were obviously "black" and the other one she wasn't sure about and you just never know about "those people".  I was very angry and told her your right you never know who is American and who isn't and then in English I told my girlfriends that we should leave because the shop clerk were afraid we might steal something.  The clerk was very embarrassed and tried to apologize but we walked out.  I remember I was very angry.  I also never told my girlfriends that she was only questioning the others because I felt badly for them.  I assume since I could speak the language and am very fair the clerk assumed I was German.  I felt a little guilty about not telling my girlfriends but I did not want to hurt their feelings.

I remember I spoke to my mother at length about the incident.  She told me that every nationality has individuals that are biased and prejudiced against others.  She also told me that prejudice and bias are products of fear and ignorance. 

The incident diminished equity for my girlfriends by singling them out because of their race and nationality.  In order for the incident to have a greater opportunity of equity the store clerk would have to put aside her bias and prejudices. 

I found this picture and thought it was appropriate for the topic:

We should all STOP - THINK - ACT - and RESPECT one another regardless of our differences.