Evaluating
Impacts on Professional Practice
There are no words to describe how racism
feels. Everyone deals with it differently. Some people lash out verbally,
others withdraw into themselves. Some people can talk openly about how it
feels, others hide it deep within. It’s imperative that we talk to our children
and prepare them for the possibility that they might experience racism.
Most ethnic minority parents teach their
children about their culture by passing down information and traditions from
their country of origin. However, research suggests, with the exception of
African-American families, they are less likely to talk to their children about
what it means to be a minority in a country that is primarily Caucasian and
discuss experiences related to discrimination and racial teasing
they might experience because of their ethnic differences (Caughy, Nettles,
O’Campo, and Lohrfink, 2002). Preparing children for racist interactions
is important because it allows them to attribute the discrimination and
bullying to the bully, not to a personal defect within themselves or with their
culture, and will encourage them to talk about it, if when it occurs.
As
early childhood professional young children look to us as role models, so by being assertive it teaches them to find their
own voice and to stand up for themselves and others who are being teased. My
girlfriend, who is Korean, constantly experienced racial slurs at her job as
pet groomer from co-workers to point where she quite a job. It’s important that we, the community as a
whole get involve and stand up for what is right.
If we as educators know racial teasing or
discrimination is occurring in our school, in our neighborhood, I believe we
should get organized and get support to stop it. Don’t ignore racism if
you see it. It doesn’t go away if you close your eyes and don’t look.
Reference
Caughy, M. O., Nettles, S. M., O’Campo, P.
J., & Lohrfink, K. F. (2005). Racial socialization and African American child development: The
importance of neighborhood context. Paper presented at the biennial meeting of
the Society for Research in Child Development, Atlanta, GA.
Hello Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you that there are no words to describe racism and the way it makes you feel if you have ever been discriminated against because of the color of your skin. I have been discriminated against because of my skin, and it makes you feel so insignificant; it is truly a hurtful experience. I really try to make sure to always teach my children how to understand, respect, and be accepting of all cultures and ethnicities. You made some very strong and valid points, and I appreciate you sharing your experiences. Great blog post, Sandra.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI like your comment abut teaching and preparing young children for racist interactions because it definitely is important as racism and discrimination still surround us. Bullying happens a lot at schools and educators should focus on diverse teaching techniques to expose children into a world of anti- bias and inclusive education. It is important for childhood education to contain qualified teachers who have background knowledge in inclusive environments and anti- bias education. “The challenge of attracting an holding on to qualified teachers will likely escalate, undermining the field’s capacity to elevate and sustain a characteristic level of program quality” (French, 2010, p. 63). I believe teachers should also regularly self- reflect and attend workshops to raise their awareness and refresh their memory, this way children will always be up to date with information and anti- bias teachings.
Reference
French, R. (2010). The best of times, the worst of times: Rising standards and declining staff qualifications in early childhood education. YC: Young Children, 65(2), 62-66. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the ERIC database: http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=49757211&site=ehost-live&scope=site
I enjoyed reading your blog Sandra. The information was very interesting about racisim. It is important that children understand that the one who is treating them unfairly is the one with the problem.
ReplyDeleteSandra,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that most families to not prepare their children for what it is to be a minority and what to expect. In most families they make it known that we a different in many different, negative aspects. Families should make sure to tell their children what stereotypes that they are faced with and they should prepare them all while telling them that they are not true. Because you are a different race other than the more dominant race, does not mean that you are less important.