· What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows and the like.
I can remember when I was in elementary school there was a boy that was not able to participate in our holiday functions. He would always walk out of the room. At the time I was young and did not know why he could not celebrate with us. I remember other children talking about him like there was something wrong with him. You could tell he felt uncomfortable when they would call his name out to leave. His face would turn red. Now as an adult I bet that it has affected him his whole life. He was not different from any of us, he just worshiped different.
· In what ways did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in the incident diminish equity?
The teachers calling him out in front of the class diminish equity.
· What feelings did this incident bring up for you?
At the time I was young and did not realize the damage and problems that is could cause the young boy. Now that I think about it; it saddens me and I wished I could go back in time and educate the teachers on a better way of pulling the child out. Help him feel a part of the class.
· What and or/ who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?
I would have changed how the teachers approached the situation and I would also change my reaction to the other children talking about the young boy. I would have stood up for the child and made him feel welcomed and a part of the class.
I too had the same thing happen when I was younger. I also didn't understand why this was happening. I always thought the boy was in trouble.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that there needs to be a less obvious or less isolating way to handle these situations. In our preschool, we have the kids talk about their religions and beliefs and the parents often come share celebrations or observances. The ones who do not celebrate are allowed to remain in the class. Their parents have instructed them to just not sing the songs or eat the food. They will allow them to enjoy the day with their friends.
This has happened not only in my childhood, but as an adult and in the working world. As an adult I think that if thye can not selbrate they exclude themsleves, however, as young children what do you do? It is hard because we wnat ot teach our cultures and traditions here in the Unitied States, yet they are all being taken away because of other beliefs. What do we do?
ReplyDeleteI agree that there should be a different way to approach this situation. In many early childhood settings, celebrations are not referred to in a way to reveal one particular religion so that all children are encouraged to participate. I think primary schools should adopt the same practice, and some in my community have already done so. It is very disappointing that schools would prefer to exclude a child from engaging in a social event which is so important to their social development. Teachers and administrators must come together to address this situation to benefit all children and prevent anyone from being excluded because of religious diversity.
ReplyDeleteKaren:
ReplyDeleteThere is always a right way to handle a situation, and making that child feel so different and excluded was truly unnecessary. There are so many children within our school system whose family beliefs and cultures are not considered the "norm." But, as adults, we have to make it our mission to not make a child feel excluded when it comes to certain situations or aspects of life that call for them to be removed for whatever reason. A sense of responsibility and common sense has to come into play when it comes to dealing with cultural and family dynamics.
Vernanna