Friends or Foes

This week I observe quite a few microaggressions (a statement/comment/behavior that creates feelings of inferiority and uncertainty even though no offense was consciously intended) (Laureate Education Inc., 2010).  Below I will share a couple of them:

1. My friend showed me a video of her riding a horse. 
Annie: "Look at the distance between your foot and the ground, I think that's a pony"
Friend: "No... it's a horse"
Annie: "I have been on a full grown horse and it looks like a pony"
Friend: "You're from Haiti and I'm from the country. I know what a horse looks like"
Pause: (So because I'm from Haiti I couldn't possibly know the difference between a horse and a pony?)
Annie sarcastically: "Ok" (changes subject)
End conversation

2.  A friend and I were discussing a mutual friend of ours and the conversation goes as followed:
Annie: "I realize when said person and I have a discussion, it turns into him saying anything in order to make his point regardless of how it makes other people feel so I just refuse to have any sort of discussions that might get heated.  I avoid it altogether"
Friend: "That's being sensitive. All women are sensitive and you're no different"
Pause: (I'm sensitive because I'm trying to avoid a situation that might hurt my feelings? I thought I was being smart...)
Annie: "Because you're entitled to your opinions I will let you have this one... because what you call sensitivity, I happen to think is self-preservation but I'm going to agree to disagree for the both of us."





End conversation

3.  A group of co-workers and I are setting up for a teacher training session and they begin to analyze an interaction that happen with a supervisor ten minutes earlier:
Co-worker 1: "You know she was trying to be smart right.  She knows you don't know that woman's name.
Annie: "She wasn't trying to be smart.  She merely said the name in order to figure out who she was referring to."
Co-worker 2 nods at both of us
Co-worker 1: "Yes she was trying to be smart.  Every time she opens her mouth..."
Annie: "Oh come on guys.  We all know she was not trying to be smart and you're reading way too much into it.  Whatever happen to positive intent?  Aren't you religious, we're suppose to rely on the good in people."
Co-worker 1: "When I was your age I used to have positive intent to and then I got older"
Pause: (What does my age have to do with having positive intent? You talk about God and Jesus every chance you get and now you're saying your  age is hindering you from seeing the good in people? I'm confused...)
Annie: "OMG is there something in the air this morning? Do you need a hug? Come here give me a hug...
Annie: "Come on" I say as I chase her around the room and hug her.  Everyone laughs and the issue is dropped.
End conversation

4. Statements that my friends and sometimes I find myself saying include "That's gay" or "That's homo" or "That's ((s)he's) fat" or "You're so slow" or "You're retarded" or "You're such a Woman" .  These random phrase appear in everyday life and depending on the audience can and might cause psychological harm and distress.

During all microaggressions observed, whether I play indifferent or choose to challenge it my awareness made me realize what was at play every single time.  This week's course media and articles made me realize that it is true that if I am not contributing to the solution I am perpetuating the problem.  I am consciously choosing to make myself aware of the multitudes of ways and tactics people instrument to oppress one another.  I am choosing to be part of the solution not the problem.

References

Laureate Education Inc. (Producer Unknown). (2010). Microaggressions in Everyday Life. [Course Media]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_3397499_1%26url%3D

What is Culture?

I asked a group of friends the following two questions: what is your definition of culture?  What is your definition of diversity?
The array of responses I received are as followed:

1. "Culture is the shared attitude, morals, values etc that characterize a group

2. Diversity is the coming together of different cultures/different groups of people coming together as one" (Personal Communication, July 17) (Gaelle Paraison)

 

1. "Culture is a socialization of a group of people. Meaning, norms created amongst a group of folks. For instance, in a work environment the culture is set by the work ethic, regulations and happiness. Overall culture is the human achievement regarded collectively. 2. Diversity is the ethnic, geographical and experiences. Meaning a range or variety of people and things in any environment." (Personal Communication, July 17) (Annmarie Payne)

1.)   "Culture is the unique heritage that one inherits and usually acquires from one’s family, community and general environment that manifests itself in numerous ways ranging from speech, food and  attire to past times, traditions and world perspective.
2.)    Ideally, diversity is the coexistence of differences in a space of mutual respect.  Cultural diversity can be a type of diversity where a venue is given for different cultures to intermingle and have a space for dialogue and discovery." (Personal Commnication, July 17) (Emanuel Gunn)

1)  "My definition of culture are the traditions, beliefs, ideas that a family unit create.  It defines what is most important in regards to family values, religion, family dynamics, etc... Specialized way of living for individual families
2)  My definition of diversity is simply individuality.  Being able to be different in own right and being respected for what makes a person unique, their appearance, religion choice, life choice, family values, etc..." (Personal Commnication, July 17) (Altie Jordan)

1)  "Culture- Your heritage or something you identify with and can make yourself apart of

2)  Diversity- an array of options, differences or things that make one unique; the opposite of uniformity" (Personal communication, July 18) (Nicole Cherry)

1)  Culture are non-legally enforced norms that reflect the values and principles of a particular environment or group and can inform the way people carry themselves, interact with others and possibly further the goals of the group.

2) Diversity is the representation of a range of different subgroups - not just racial or ethnic subgroups as it is most often thought to reference - but anything from religion, income, geographic residence or origin, age, ideas, educational background, languages spoken, interests, species, etc.  (Personal Communication, July 18) (Akua Hill)

1) Culture is similarities shared by people in a certain affinity group. 

2) I prefer multiculturalism over diversity because it emphasizes the multidimensional facets of each of our lives while diversity tends to emphasize the difference in race, gender, and sexual orientation. (Personal communication, July 18) (Courtney Williams)

The arrays of answers I received demonstrated the quality of intellectuals with which I interact.  Every single response defined culture beyond the surface.  They understood that culture entailed more than just the clothes, food, and values but that it involved and included one's environment and interactions. While there were different answers for both culture and diversity, each response depicted a deep understanding of two complex ideas and proved once again that culture plays a part in the way we define and interpret things.  This is shown in the way all of the responses were different even though they conveyed the same idea.

I am very proud of those I call friends.  Their level of thinking has elevated mine throughout the years and am very grateful for the ways in which they contribute to my personal culture.

My Family Culture

                “A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of [my] country.  The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees.”  My family and I have no say on our final destination, meaning we will go to the country chosen for us.  We were told to bring one change of clothes, and three items of our choosing.  The choice of the three items is one that is extremely difficult.  Over the years I have come to realize, my family culture is different from my personal culture.

                By the time our family moved to the US, everyone in the family was an adult.  My generation was in their teens.  As a result, my family culture is much more Haitian than my culture.  I was only twelve when I moved to New York so I have assimilated into American culture quite a bit; hence why choosing three items that represent my family culture is going to be tough.  As I reflected on it, I started to think about the things that are innate in all of us in the family (God, community service, goodness, helping others, staying abreast of global events, and some distinct aspects of our Haitian family culture). 

                When the time came, I chose a rosary, my cellular phone, and a Haitian flag.  I chose the rosary because I grew up believing it was a symbol of God.  As a Catholic, I use it to pray and praying is simply talking to God; I talk to God throughout the day.  My cellular phone was important to me because of the pictures stored in it and the fact that if phone services are available all over the world so wherever I end up I will still be connected to my family and the world via my phone.  I also chose a Haitian flag because now that I am in the process of becoming an American citizen it is a reminder of my home country.

                Upon arriving to my destination country, my family and I realized that the culture was one completely different from ours.  We were asked to leave two of the three items we chose to travel with and my anxiety level increased, I was devastated.   I chose to keep the rosary and I realized that God would most certainly keep me safe, I took a deep breath and handed my phone and the Haitian flag over.

                Of all the aspects of my family culture, I realized God is the most important to us.  He sees us through everything and has yet to disappoint me.

Continuing the Journey: Research

This course has taught me so much about research.  Prior to taking this course I had no idea on the components comprising a research article and what information each provided.  I feel much more confident with research now due to the wealth of information acquired.

            I believe this course has equipped me with resources should I choose to do research or be tasked with doing research.  Our class text will prove to be very useful if conducting research.  I learnt the importance of designing a research because it might lead to whether or not the research is valid.  I should plan and design a research carefully and always have equity on the mind throughout the whole process.

            This course has presented many more obstacles to overcome personally as an early childhood professional and fueled my passion in the same instance.  I am grateful for the support Walden University provides whether it is via my colleagues, professors, and/or academic advisors.  I am looking forward to a passionate journey.

Research Can be Positive!

A positive research experience includes the one that I am currently a part of.  United Way of Metropolitan Nashville funds a School Readiness Initiative with three-star rated child care centers. Part of my job as a literacy coach (the liaison between the centers and United Way) is to collect data on the progress of the children in our program.  The teachers implement the curriculum year round and I assess the children in the Fall, Winter, and Spring in order to assess the usefulness of the curriculum. 

The methods employed do not place greater than minimal harm on our children.  The data collected from the assessments not only support that the curriculum at hand provides sufficient kindergarten readiness preparation, but it also highlights the areas in which the curriculum is weak thus affording the teachers the ability to supplement said areas.

Data collected proves the program yields approximately 94% success rate in accomplishing the goal of preparing our children for kindergarten.  Outside of the research, graduated parents return to express gratitude on the investment we put in their children because it is now paying off in elementary school.

Chosen Topic

Social emotional development has always been a topic of interest to me.  I am glad in this class, I will have the opportunity to explore it further.  I am a firm believer in this program called Conscious Discipline (which I highly recommend you look up) because the program makes you think about the way you discipline yourself and children.  It encourages you to keep those around you in mind and take their feelings into account.  The program is incredibly insightful and it has sparked my interest as to what other methods are being employed to support social emotional development.
The simulation assignment this week was rather easy to write because I have been interested in the methods employed to support social emotional development for quite some time.  Due to the strong support I have for Conscious Discipline, I am now forced to come out of my comfort zone and explore other methods of support.  I took into account my bias and my simulation intends on focusing on different and other methods used with children. 
If you by any chance come across any literature that relates in any way to social emotional development (methods, beliefs, programs, etc.) I am also open to hearing any ideas you might have on ways to design my research that would yield the best results.  I really appreciate the support you provide and look forward to continuing the exchange of ideas we have started.

ECE Internationally

In past eight weeks I have had the opportunity to explore Early Childhood Education on a global scale.  I am grateful the course afforded me such chance because I hope to one day impact the field at that level.  As a result:

1. I have learnt that many are committed to the field; their commitment makes it easier for me to reach out for help when needed and afforded me a vast support system as to what I wish to contribute to the field.

2. I now have a multitude of websites, podcasts, and others that allow me to stay abreast of what is happening around the world as far as children are concerned.

3. I have a better understanding of how I can navigate through the UNICEF website and obtain the information I seek.  This particular organization is one of great interest due to the fact that they have been making a difference in my country of birth, Haiti, for as long as I can recall.

With every course my understanding and knowledge of the field grows and I feel one step closer to my professional goals.  I wish to continue to establish at least one professional contact in each corner of the world since I was unable to make contact with anyone professionally in the past eight weeks.  One goal established for this summer is to start with one professional contact in Australia.