The consequences I might expect for the children and their families with whom I work: For them to learn more about me, others and their ways of life. I do not want any child or family that I may come in contact, to know if I do have biases or issues they will never see or feel in through conversations or communications.
Throughout my life I have had to deal with te "isms" of classism, racism and maybe a few others, however I have never blamed anyone for the choices or actions that have come to me in my life and I have done the best with what I have.
I would be more responsive to children, who's parents maybe going through a hard time financially or emotionally, due to my childhood and what my family had to go through. I feel that I would be able and willing to speak to my students about racism or any other "ism" on an age appropriate level.
Some examples that I have experienced are dating and marrying an African-American male, I have many African-American coworkers or parents that say to me, "I didn't know you were married to an African-American", until I show them pictures. The part that puzzles me is, Is there a certain way to act if you are married to someone outside your race?
To help others, I must put my feelings aside and deal with what is going on with the person that is seeking help. I know as a child, my family went through hard times, so that is why I am willing to go to any extent to help those that may be going through some of the same life experiences that I did as a child and a young adult.
Lori - I have also had some issues with being married outside my race. My first husband was Filipino and my current husband is Hispanic. I would always get the same comment "I didnt know your husband was...." Which obviously makes both of my children mixed as well. I think this makes me sensitive to educating those around me that it is ok to fall in love with whomever your heart happens to fall in love with.
ReplyDeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteI think one of the first aspects of diversity that children begin to notice is what color people are around them. I have even seen little girls pick out the dolls that are a similar color as them to play with instead of a different color. The topic of race can be uncomfortable and frustrating at times to talk about as an adult, so we must begin to talk about it when the children are young!
Lori,
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point. Those comments make it sound like there is something wrong about marrying someone different than us. People make similar comments on personal traits besides race. My sister married a Jewish man, 12 years her senior. The comments she gets are, "I didn't know Marty was Jewish, and so much older than you." My husband is 6'6'' and I'm only 5'4". I get the comment "I didn't know you husband was sooooo tall."
Hello Lori,
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to know that you are willing to help others overcome isms that they might be facing. It seems that you are one of those children that were resilient to the various situations you faced during your childhood as well as an adult. Sadly not all chidren and families are capable to screening out their feelings and internalize the behaviours of racism and many others isms that can affect their self-esteen and over all well being.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.