COMPETENT COMMUNICATION

          The person I feel demonstrates competent communication is my “Mom / Pastor”. My mom was an English professor in the 1950’s and begins pastoring in 1980. She speaks in a soft tone, she never changes her posture, she has excellent eye contact with her audience and when speaking to others individually, and doesn’t mind repeating herself.  If, there’s something you missed or didn’t understand her only requirement is waiting until I’m finish speaking because, I maybe answering your question while I’m talking.

          As an professional in the early childhood field, I feel when speaking to the children and parents we serve giving them eye to eye contract, keeping ones composure and listening to what each other has to say, and not stopping the person in mid sentences will allow them to be an effective communicator.

PROFESSIONAL HOPES & GOALS

 

          The one hope I have, when working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is to establish a relationship that’s trustworthy, communicate effectively, and be flexible and understanding to their needs. In doing so, children will become lifelong learners. Also, the one goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to the issues of diversity, equity and social justice is be more aware of the knowledge that surrounds the issues related to “Diversity”.

          I would like to give that’s to each of my colleagues and professor for barring with me with while, I struggled to get my “Discussions and Blogs” in for someone to comment on. I want you all to know it’s been my pleasure to work with each of you, and I hope we all will have a chance to meet in other courses together again. I don’t like good – byes therefore, I hope to see you soon and much success in your next coming courses.

WELCOMING FAMILIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

The county of origin which, I chose the family comes from “Haiti.” I was informed Kenyatta Jacques (name I will use for the little girl) will be moving to the United States on Monday, and her parents will be placing her in my Daycare Center. Kenyatta will be in my classroom with peers of her age. Listed below are 5 ways which, I will provide comfort for Mr. Mrs. Jacques and their daughter Kenyatta.

1.     I would go to the library on the weekend and research much as I could about the family’s country. I will view things such as; their culture, religion, and identify the language of the family.

2.     Create a welcome policy which, her parents will fill out. In the policy there would be questions relate d to her culture, language , likes and dislikes to give me  a better insight on how to address her needs, and ways her parents aspect me to adhere to her needs. This way I can implement into my curriculum.

3.     Provide appropriate books and materials for Kenyatta to use.

4.     I would create a bulletin with photos and sayings that represent children from all “Diverse Cultures” including Kenyatta.

5.     I would ask Kenyatta‘s parents if, they would like to volunteer in the classroom. When parents become involve it shows their child they are interest in their learning. Also, it’s another way for the parent to discuss their culture.

In doing the preparations for Mr. & Mrs. Jacques, and their daughter, It was my plan to establish effective communication skills, build an relationship / bond, and provide tools for Kenyatta to use in order to be an “Lifelong Learner”.

 

 

                                             

THE PERSONAL SIDE OF BIAS, PREJUICE, AND OPPRESSION

The incident I would like to share with my colleagues on “Prejudice” which was witness by my cousin and me. I drove her to Walgreens to pick up her meds, and as I begin to park the truck I notice her 2 sons and 3 of their friends entering the store. The boys weren’t a where of us being in the store. Their mom was at the counter and I was sitting near the pharmacy waiting on her. Lisa (I will refer to my cousin as Lisa).

Lisa so, happen to look – up in the mirror above the ceiling and saw this White officer following the boys from isle to isle. Lisa text my cell as said, “Girl look I don’t believe this”. So, the boys still have notice us in Walgreens as of yet. The boys went down the chips isle first and then the candy isle and now begin to look at some pops. These boys still didn’t notice the officer. As the officer was following the boys, we followed the officer to see if, he was going to approach hers children and their friends.

 Lisa goes back to the pharmacy to grab the meds while, I continue to keep my eyes on what’s going on. In my eye sight the officer was targeting 5 African American young boys, and not to mention he did not once take his eyes of these boys. One of her sons decides to purchase cookies and candy, and the others didn’t buy anything. Lisa yelled out to her younger son, “Do not buy anything out of this Walgreen’s “! The officer finally said, to the other 4 boys if, you are not purchasing anything you need to leave the store.”

 Lisa calls out to her other son and tells him and his friends to come here”. Lisa explains first to the officer that while, she was waiting on her meds, he had been following them since they arrived in the store as though were, the only Blacks in the store. Lisa went on to tell this officer “All Black’s do not steal” and also, she begin to recite what, out parents and grandparents taught us to the officer which, was “Train up a child in the way he should go; and he is old he will never depart from it.”

I could not believe this, the officer replied so quickly, since “I’ve been working here at Walgreens, all I’ve seen is “Black children and their parents and older people coming in here taking what’s not there’s.” Lisa told the office my boys will never come back into this store due you have “Racial Profile” her boys. I truly believe if; I didn’t take Lisa to Walgreens this officer would have attempted to arrest these boys. Black males are being arrest everyday here in Chicago for crimes they haven’t committed but, it’s said, “we have a justice system and we are all created equal, and to be honest I still say “No are not created as an equal”. This last statement is only my opinion.

PRACTICING AWARNESS OF MICROGGRESSIONS

I know you have already heard about what happen to me in Grammar School but, I feel it fits our topic on “Microaggression”.  Of course during that time in my life I wasn’t aware I was the target. This made me feel afraid, ashamed to come to school due to children were very cruel, and wanted to be with children and teachers of my culture.

My Perception of “Microaggression” is an professional please me mindful how we address children and their parent due to what comes our mouths because, some parents or other individuals may feel, the comment was said “intentional or you as the professional may have said it in an unintentional way. As Dr. Sue stated, “ Microagressions are brief everyday indignities that are verbal behaviors or environment, and may be intentional and unintentional when communicated to women, people of color, and gay / lesbians that psychological distress and harm” (Laureate Education, 2011).

Reference: Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

 

PERSPECTIVES ON DIVERISTY AND CULTURE

 

I decide to ask 3 people age ranging from 33 to 65 years on their perspectives of “Diversity and Culture”. The first person was a male who’s 33 years old.  Culture is me being raised as a male following the beliefs my parents had set forth for me. Diversity was a group of people with different nationalities and identities.  Kay who’s 55 said, “Culture” was adhering to the beliefs, traditions and values my parents instead in me, and I in return passed them down to my children. I then asked her for some examples, attending church on every Sunday, my children and husband eat our meals together (breakfast & dinner).

 Diversity to me means individuals which, are from various ethnic background although, their skin is different one should be able to  live beside each another, learn each other ways and work together without any racism / bias in the community. This last person is a member from my church who’s 65 years old. Ms. Reed define “Culture” as ones heritage, language, beliefs and how society view you such as Caucasian or African American and Diversity is how some cultures may single you out due to them feeling you are beneath them although, you may have the same skin color. Her example; was Jamaicans feel African Americans don’t value anything.

While listening to the three people, I chose to define culture and diversity somewhat open my eye sight even more due to I had put a wall because; of how I had been treated.

 

MY FAMILY CULTURE

I was very devastated when, the government asks “me to evacuate to another country”. Needless to say there was not enough time to inform my children, husband and parents. I only grab three things that were near me, and they consist of my cell phone, family pictures and the cross with the Lord’s Prayer. I chose the cell phone because; I communicate daily at least 6 times a day to my family and about 3 times to my prayer partner. The family pictures I would think of all the good times we celebrated and think about my reunion back to my family. My mom gave this cross with the Lord’s Prayer for a Christmas gift two years ago. I’m a prayer warrior and as I pray for other and myself it brings deliverance in time of troubles, pray for healing, and I pray when things are going good for others and me as well.

If I had to let two items go it would be the family photos and cell phone. I chose family photos because, I can cherish the memories and the love we all had for one another, the cell phone due to being in a different environment they may not use cell phones in their country and this leaves room for me to learn their culture. In doing this exercise it made me think how other cultures that, come to the United States not knowing no one anyone, people pass judgement by showing some bias / prejudice and to me that’s not fair at all. Truly, this was something to think about.