Communication

       When I think of a particular member of my family that is competent to a particular text or situation I have to think of my older cousin. Every since I was a little girl I have always looked up to her as a role model. I wanted to attempt to achieve some of her same achievements. As I began to get older we drifted off a little and not until the pass three years we have gotten back and now we are even closer.
       I guess when you are younger the person seems so much older then you and when you both have gotten older it seems you are right together. Anyway her style on handling professionalism is so amazing. The way she carries herself, her body language, her humbliness, her conversation, her appearance just everything to me. She is able to communicate with anyone on any level and I think that is what I admire about her the most her being so verstile.
        I think if I was able to change some of my communication skills to mimic some of her my communication skills would be better than what they are. At the end of the my cousin feels like she is no bigger than the next person.

Professional Hopes and Goals

When I think of professional hopes and goals I think of where I am now and where I would like to be with my accomplishments. My biggiest fear would be not to have accomplished anything after putting forth hard work. However I do know with dedicatin, discipline, determination, and hard work I can/ will accomplish anything I put my mind to.
A hope that I have when it comes to working with family and children from diverse backgrounds is that I would be a better understanding of where they come from. Enlighten me from the stereotypes I may have of a particular background, or culture.
A goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice would be simply be to educate. Teach the children how to be more open-minded and non-bias. Enlighten them on how everyone should be treated equally and no one is better than the next.
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I would like to leave with my colleagues words and encourgement and thanks. I encourge you to always put your best foot forward in whatever you set your mind out to do. Remember what we have learned in this class these past 8 weeks and apply it to whatever educational profession we go into. I would like to thank everyone for being the supportive classmates you are. You have truly made this class and eye opener for me and interesting. I have truly learned alot and it was because of you.....

Welcoming Families From Around The World

I just got word that The Mendez family has just moved here from the Dominican Republic and they have a 4 year old that will be attending my childcare center. Among this announcement I began to get myself as well as staff and center culturally prepared so that the family and the child will fee comfortable. Upon preparation I remembered that I have taking a diversity class so I can going to put what I have learned to use. Some thing that I am going to do to prepare for this particualr family is to make one: make sure that all my staff are educated on the different countries in South America so that they will know that this family is Dominican and not Mexican, two: I will ensure that the center gives a bilingual atmosphere from english to spanish to assist with the child identifing objects to english and the center idefing the objects to spanish, three: make sure that the toys in the center is more that one race to show diversity in the objects so that the child want can have a free play mentality, four: I personally would study up on the family culture of their beliefs and culture so that I am aware of their values, beliefs, and norms, and finally five: I would have an open door policy to show that I welcome all cultures, races, diversity and etc.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

Growing up as an African American in the south I must say that one will experience a lot of trial and errors known as isms. I can remember when I was about twelve years old and my father and I went to the beauty supply store to get some colored hair spray because of an event I was having at school. As I walked in the store (I  still had my school clothes on and if I remember correctly we had switch day and I had put on some baggy shorts, a cap, a t-shirt, some knee socks, and tennis) I can recall the store owner following me around in the store the entire time I was there. As I was looking for my hair spray I asked for assistance and that’s when I noticed that lady speaking in another language and pointing at me. He soon then approached me and asked me what was I looking for and I needed to hurry up and make a purchase and they didn’t want any trouble. For a second I was lost then I realize they assumed I was stealing or either trying to rob them. I immediately ran to my father’s truck and told him what happen and he came into the store raising all kind of saying but in a concerned parent way if that’s a thing. The lady then stated at my dad “You people are all the same. You are loud, you steal and you are bad for business”. Once we heard that remark we instantly reported that particular store and never went back. I would have to say that was my first time actually experiencing racial micro aggression and micro assault all at once. One of the two factors is that people who have good intentions often make racially biased comments, but are unaware of any wrong doings. (Walden, 2011).  Even as a young child I knew at that point if you didn’t dress a certain way, talk a certain way, or even act a certain way I would forever be put in some stereotypical group.

I feel that this particular indcident dimishied equilty because at such an early age and maybe because of the store owner previous experience she had make a prejudice thought and bias comment about me because I am an African American. I wasn't treated as a customer looking for a specific item to purchased. I was looked at as a "Black Girl" trying to cause trouble. Once I have this experience I felt terrible and hurt and it was sad because my dad looked at me and could tell what I was feeling and it was nothing he could do about it. I feel there was nothing I could have done differently to get great equilty maybe it was just that particular person with a bias and closed prejudice mind.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

I can remember a time when me and some of my friends had went out to karoke. Of course we were there to have a good time some of us were having wine and some of us were just having fun. Of course everyone knows that when you have been drinking you tend to be a little more friendly, and a little loud. I had a friend that had one to many classes of wine and she was a little extra friendly to the people that were in there and was really "attention seeking" by that way she dancing, Now with her dancing and open friendliness me being her friend and theothers were trying to keep her calm  and keep her seated and to allow her to listen to the music. It work for only a hot minute and before I knew it she over heard some guys talking and I notice how the guys approached our table saying " Me and my boys want some of that attention". I instantly snapped and we immediatley left for the night.

After remembering that incident and reading the course work I am able to detect that i was a victim of mircoassault and microinvalidation. Those men thought just because my friend was acting a certain way I was a reflection of her. Now I know the ol' saying is to watch the company you keep because birds of a feather flock together, but this is 2011and I feel even though you may hang in groups and have friends it is not appropiate to judge each person because everyone has their on individual personality. This week I observed a little stereotype at my job. I observed one of my co-workers telling our director that she didn't want me to work with her this upcoming year because of my life style. Once I heard this information I told the director I don't feel comfortable working in this type of environment. She then told me that there was no need to worry about anything and if anyone goes it will be her for trying to cause a hositle work environment. The funny part is that I dont share my lifestyle with anyone so really she was going off of hersay which really made the situation even worst. With me hearing that it made me want to more find other employment because this is not the first time this situation has come up. I know if I stay humble my season will soon come. SO I go in to my job and go home.  

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

              Its odd that we are having a blog assignment on this particular topic on others perspectives on culture and diversity because me and 4 of my friends were just having this discussion over dinner the beginning of the week. One of my friends that was joing me was from Egypt and the rest of us were from somewhere in the United States. My friend that is from Egypt look at culture and diversity pretty much in the same eye view as everyone else. My friend look at culture as the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization and she looked at diversity as different types of people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization. One thing I can honestly say is that we were all very open- minded individuals and even though we may have disagreed with some of each others beliefs, morals, and values and some point we were on the same page.
        When it comes to this course thus far I have been studying being diverse, open minded, but at the same time interacting with others from different cultures that have a different aspect on their morals and beliefs from what I have and being accepting. An example that relates to the course would be my friend dining with me that is from Egypt and even though we have the same prospectives on culture and diversity her beliefs, morals, and values were a little different from mine.
           Some aspects that I feel were omitted when it comes to culture and diversity would be the acceptance if one chose to live an alternative life style or if one decided to have a child outside or marriage. I know when we where all having dinner on that topic came up my friend told me that if one was in a situation such as a child before marriage or even an alternative lifestyle one would be banded from her country.  ** Talk about proud to be an American**.
         I feel that listening to my friends interperutation of culture and diversity it made me realize that some countries actually do value their morals and beliefs not only through childhood , but also throughout their adulthood and they ensure that their family lives by their morals, belifs, and values. It made me think about how much other cherish what they believe in and its not just a faze compared to how some Americans can be and even myself.

My Family Culture

        My family and I was victims of  a major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country and relocated to another country not knowing where we would end up. Three things I would choose to take with me to remind me on my family culture I would have to say some ( blues) music records, african american books or art work, and I would have to say some soul food recipes.
            I know the things I listed may sound small but these items would definitely remind me of my culture and maybe even help me keep my sanity in a new world. A way that I would explain to others if asked to explain my items is that blues and soul food were both originated in the south and I am definitely from the south and the african american art work/books to remind me where I have been and where I am going.
     I think if I was told that I could only keep one item it would be a hard decision, but I would maybe have to say I would keep the soul food recipes. The reason I say this is because when it comes to the african american art work/ books if it's in you no one can take it away from you, the music wouldn't be a big issue because if you are an open minded individual you are welcoming to new cultures and music is a diverse source or art.
     I have learned that I am who I am and each day I learn more and more about not just my culture but my hertiage. At first I use to do certain things because it was a fashion thing like having sisterlocs, wearing african colors, wearing the ankh and etc., but as I continue to do this things I reseach and reseach and find that the things I once thought wwas a fashion statement means so much more to me and I am glad that I am doing it. Example. Did you know that dreadlocks/sisterlocs wasn't originated in " Africa" like the Zulu tribe but was originated in Egypt and it is a sign or royalty and riches. ****Just food for thought**** Just odd how something as small as your hair can mean a lot to your culture that we take for granted or just for fashion.