Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)

I hope that I will be able to approach each family equally, without displaying biases from by prior personal experiences with individuals from various backgrounds. 

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 I would like to set is to include all children from a variety of backgrounds and disabilities in their programs, as well as to make sure parents are included.  If we were only focusing on improving the children and not the parents it will not be as effective.

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

This has been one of the hardest courses, however I learned a lot about diversity and it has been great to have support from classmates.  I thank everyone for sharing such positive and honest opinions about the biases they have and or biases that have been displayed towards them.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The name of “your” family’s country of origin

I am unsure of my family's original country of origin, however I will assume that because of my culture's history that it is a country within Africa.

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

To prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family I will:
Research the country's heritage/history; display some of their country's notable figures (flag, famous people, president, etc.); learn about their favorite cuisines and share them at group meetings; learn about their religious practices and any biases or stereotypes that this group faces and or may be presumed.

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

I hope that these preparations will be beneficial in that we will be able to find a common interest so that our cultural differences will not be detrimental to our potential professional relationship that we are trying to form.  I hope they are able to see my great attempt in taking interest in their culture and I hope to learn more about them so that I will be better capable of communicating with people of different cultures

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

I have experienced bias and prejudice situations in my life, however I want to talk about some of the biases and prejudice situations that I have witnessed someone how holds the highest office in our nation, President of the United States.  There has been so many situations where Obama has been disrespected or critized because of his race.  I can recall one instance when someone made a comment that the White House is white for a reason and Obama did not belong in it.  Some even said that now it should be called the "Black House."  A more recent situation is when Fox Network did not air the President's address; this is total disrespect and is a clear act of prejudice.  Never in our President of Presidents' history has a major network ignore the address of the President.

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

It diminished equity in that Foxs' actions makes it seem as if that it is okay to show bias if someone has a different opinion than yours.  Just because Fox does not agree with the President they should have showed him the respect to have America hear his address to the American people. 

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

I was sad when I learned of this event, just when you think things are finally getting on the right path something always happen to make us realize that we have not came as far as we would like. 

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

Everyone...it begins with parents.  Parents have to teach their children that, yes their opinion matters however if your neighbor has a different opinion; there's matter too.  Just because someone is different and or thinks different from you does not make them wrong or you right.  The main thing is coming to an agreement that pleases both parties.