Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have when thinking about working with children and families who come from diverse families is that they would be more tolerant of people with differences as well as proud of all background parts of themselves.  They should have a better understanding of prejudices and not add to that problem. 

One goal I would set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to establish is a “free” zone.  Free of ignorance, bullying, prejudice and racism. 

I want to think all my colleagues for the wonderful feedback, post, and support.  The last couple of classes have felt like a family environment.  I enjoyed learning from everyone and I wish everyone Good Luck in all your future courses. 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

The one memory of prejudice that I witnessed was when I was younger.  The time I remember was when I was about five or six years old my mom, dad and I were all in the supermarket and my dad was playing with me.  During the play he was picking me up and hugging me.  Around us were barrels of loose candy, the employee thought my dad was putting the candy in my pockets so he proceeded to follow us around.    My parents then notice that he was following us and my dad asked was there a problem.  That is when we find out what his thoughts were.  My parents left the grocery cart right in the middle of the aisle and went to another store. 

To diminish the equity in this situation my parents should have not left, they should have went and talked to a manager, and if that didn't work talk to the owner of the supermarket.  I do not know if at that time if that would have changed anything, but they should have tried to get some sort of equity out of the situation.  At the time, I really did not understand to have feelings about the situation, but now looking back that was hurtful.   A African American family cannot have family time in the store without people thinking they are going to steal.  The employees at the store would have had to change their outlook on things for this cycle to be changed.  That was in 1986 or 1987, things were a little different then now, the issue today is that we still have a lot of close minded people who need to change their behaviors.