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omething I thought was interestingly put by Louise Derman-Sparks is when she commented on being white. She said that the idea was placed on her that being in the work of helping conquer isms and diversity meant that she was constantly being watched to make sure she wasn’t racist. If she felt like she made a mistake or said something wrong then she felt like she had failed, “I’m never going to be this clean, non-racist person.” (Laureate Education Inc., 2010) Which led me to remember something said by Dr. Derald Wing Sue. He said “If you want to know about racism, do you ask a white or black person? If you want to know about homophobia do you ask a gay or a straight?” (Laureate Education Inc., 2010) Being white meant that Louise Derman-Sparks needed to be extra careful to not be stereotyped as being racist, although she was fighting to stop those same ideas.
One hope that I have when thinking about working with diverse children and families are that we could get over what it is that we see when we look at each other and just try to work together and understand what each other are saying. Louise Derman-Sparks said that we all “carry the history of the groups that you’re part of.” (Laureate Education Inc., 2010) With this I mean to imply that skin colors and culture can go a long way even before words are spoken. I hope that I will do my best and be able to take my time to fully listen to what each child and family has to teach me.
A goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field would be that education is terrific but if arithmetic and vocabulary could bring people together they would have done it by now. So I believe that not only teaching children their normal studies, we should also be putting emphasis on empathy, forgiveness, honor and acceptance. These among others, and I am sure that there are better words and virtues that I could have used. But I feel that human connecting together to do a greater good for humanity and not for a paycheck would better the world.
I am in awe of my colleagues this term. I have truly learned a lot from their comments and ideas. Thank you for another great course and hope to see some if not all of you next class. If not, good luck in your future endeavors.
Hi Tina,
ReplyDeleteIt would be wonderful if people could get passed the color of a person's skin and just see the person for who he/she is. Like you, I want to be one of those educators that is interested in what is being said and trying to have an understanding of each other so that we are able to learn from each other. I believe there is much to be learned from all of us.
Once again, I have enjoyed having you as a classmate. I really look forward to reading your posts. Keep up the good work and good luck!!
Great post! I enjoyed reading everything your wrote throughout this course! I enjoyed what you wrote this is assignment.... "I believe that not only teaching children their normal studies, we should also be putting emphasis on empathy, forgiveness, honor and acceptance." I cannot agree more, you do not have much cultural capital if all you know is your ABC's and I23's. Great that you highlighted this very important factor.
ReplyDeleteAbby
Hi Tina!
ReplyDeleteI agree that work advocating for the implementation of character building in conjunction with diversity, cultural-sensitiveity is necessary in early childhood education.
It is probably cliche at this point, but the addage of not judging a book by its color is beneficial to remember when interacting with people and you articulated this well in your post as well as in your points of view throughout this course.
As in previous classes, I have enjoyed working with you and glad that we have become supports for each other during this Walden journey.
Talk to ya soon,
Fellow Fair :)
I have enjoyed the communications and openness you have shared throughout the anti-bias education class. There were some difficult identities for each of us to share. Thank you for help and understandings of the context. Good luck on your educational journey.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I would like to see everyone look over the exterior of others and start looking internally at what matters the most. It would greatly increaseequity and social justice.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you how we change when communicating with others. I know I do answer the phone the same way if I do not know who is on the other side of that phone, and for the resepct my elders are due I do not talke to them the same way I talk to my friends.
ReplyDeleteI loved yor post.