Competent Communicator

     As I considered the question of someone who demonstrates competent communication skills, I immediately thought of Oprah Winfrey.  She exudes sincerity, frankness, and realism when she speaks to an audience of many or one on one interviews.  As I watched her shows, and even tuned into her life before and during the taping of her shows, I was mesmerized at how easy she made talking to people on any subjects appear effortless, and one of my reasons for choosing Speech Communication as a major in college.

     Some of the behaviors shown by Oprah are her ability to pay attention to everything others are saying, and to offer comments based on specific details, not just her opinions or emotions.  While empathizing with her listeners, she gets others to view ideas without offending but making you deliberate on what was stated.  She has a way of helping you uncovering what is important to and for you, as well as those in your presence.

     I definitely would want to model some of my own communication behaviors after Oprah as she finds common ground with all those she addresses while being sincere, and tactful, yet always leaving you with something to contemplate.

Professional Hopes and Goals

     The hope that I have in working with children and families from diverse backgrounds is that we all stop judging based on physical characteristics without becoming attentive to others backgrounds, principles and ways of life.  As educators, we need to view each child’s individuality as an asset and continue to support them, and their families, to celebrate in the richness of their culture.

    

     A goal I have for the early childhood field relating to diversity, equity, and social justice is to use our dissimilarities as a tool to deepen our learning practices which will encompass everyone globally.  Everyone within the field should continually reflect and become awareness of their own biases, behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, values, and think of how these impact the way they interact with others. 

     As we conclude this course, I want to thank all of my colleagues for pushing, encouraging and aiding me in considering other points of view.  Through your kind words, I have been able step outside of my comfort zone and see through your lenses.  Thank you all for increasing my level of professionalism and I look forward to interacting with you again through our Walden educational journey. As we come to a close, I would like all to consider the fact that diversity is about all of us, and should emcompass each of us.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

     The country from which “my family” originated from is Brazil. The ways in which I would prepare myself to be culturally responsive toward this family and help them adjust to their new surrounds is

1.    Research and find out as much about the country, the traditions, routines, foods, and activities to ensure that they are comfortable within their new setting.

2.    Learn as much as I can about the culture and how diversity they respond to diversity, through the Brazilian Embassy.

3.    Contact a local Brazilian organization and speak to someone about my new family and their recommendations for making them feel content and at ease.

4.    To have a translator available to assist with any language barriers as well as learning a few useful words and phrases to make communication easier.

5.    Be open and convey to my new family that it is a new experience for us both and agree that it is a learning experience for us both.

     This country is particular known for its rich cultural diversity, so I would wish that through this incident my new family and I will benefit in that we have encountered lasting experiences that will make both families fortunate to have discovered and learned something meaningful and valuable.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

     A memory of an experience with involving bias, prejudice, and/or oppression is when I was working in another field and involved in the hiring process for a vacancy within our department.  The candidates had been narrowed down to just two, one white male and one black female.  As each candidate was interviewed, it was agreed that both candidates were highly qualified and ideal for possessing the attributes needed to manage a group of seven.  However, when conversing amongst the decision makers it was stated that the black female was very articulate and could handle the group of seven.  When I asked exactly what that comment meant, the individual stated that being the black female would be better at understanding and talking to the all black group of procurement agents. 

     This specific bias diminished equity verbally and through her behavior while feeling that the only person able to get along and manage the staff was one within the same race and of the same type.  This person’s prejudices and stereotypes were due to lack of knowledge and the reluctancy to get to know those within the group and what would be best for them.  Her belief was that only blacks should be managed by other blacks, who they can identify and relate to and this person being articulate was just icing on the cake.

     This specific prejudice evoked anger beyond belief that one could make such a statement and no one questioned her thinking process.  I knew and had experienced biases within my own life, and was not sure if the disrespect for others or the blatant comments affected me more.

     In order for this incident to turn into an opportunity of greater equity all individuals on the panel would have had to speak up and address the bias being spoken and exposed by the one panel member.  The qualifications and merits of both candidates could have been brought up and compared, not just skin color.  There could have been a dialogue amongst everyone, including the top executive as to their support for the right person where skin color did not make a difference.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

     A vivid example of microaggression (microinsult) that I remember as a child is being ostracized in a church setting while visiting my grandmother in North Carolina.  My brother and two cousins were sent to Sunday school ahead of the adults and since we were different ages, I being the youngest, were separated and sent to individual classes.  Once I entered the class all heads turned and whispers began.  Once the teacher turned her back all the kinds started to giggle and make comments about me being white and not welcomed near them.  One particular child was so bold to say, “She’s an albino and we don’t like her”.  For a young child, at six or seven, you feel hurt, confused and offended that others could feel and say those things to you without remorse.  I remember immediately running to my brother crying about the nasty things said to me.  Not only was this entire situation terrible but I do not recall any of the adults consoling me or reprimanding the kids during or after this ordeal.

     As we entered Thanksgiving week, I was keenly tuned into myself and others regarding their perceptions of biases and/or stereotypes of others.  As the family gathered throughout the week and I ventured to another state, I was delighted to not witness any prejudices.  Everyone I came into contact with was very friendly, approachable and kind.  What a better world this would be if we all continued on this pattern of interacting with everyone, showing kindness, compassion and humanity, regardless of their or our own disparities.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I spoke with three individuals regarding the definition of culture and diversity.  They are stated below:

1.    My friend, White female, defined culture as who and what we come from and how we were raised.  Her definition of diversity is working, socializing or inclusion with a group of people different from your own background.

2.    My brother, Black male, defined culture as everything that shapes a person into adulthood (how they behave, what they eat, their beliefs, etc.).  Culture includes a person’s religion, experiences, and personal preferences and who/what a person is accustomed to being around.  Diversity is just differences in a common environment, as an example different groups with different beliefs attending the same school or college.  Diversity allows people to see other perspectives.

3.     My colleague, Hispanic female, described culture as the set of traditions, beliefs, values, ways of life, and ways to speak.  People pick up their culture heritage while growing up and this becomes a part of them.  Diversity means variety, people with different behavioral patterns coexisting on common ground.

The aspects of culture and diversity reflected in the above answers from friends, family members and colleagues include the social identity identified throughout Kay Deaux’s Social Identity.  It was interesting that no one related specifically to social representations or stereotypes but to the idealistic explanation, in their words, of both.  Most stated and understood the importance of family involvement with culture; however, no one stated the dominant culture and their connection to politics, economics, or gender.

Listening to others views on culture and diversity makes me more interested to learning and becoming informed on learning about others.  It makes me appreciate all differences and acceptance of others cultures (beliefs, attitudes and behaviors).  But most importantly, it makes me acknowledge that we are all unique and should be understood and grateful for our differences. 

My Family Culture

     The unthinkable has transpired and the thought of having to leave all your special and personal belongings compounds the fact that you must evacuate the place that love.  The three small (WOW) items I would choose to carry with me are:

1.   A family portrait of my immediate family taken several years ago.  This photo is one that I treasure because it includes my father, who passed away from cancer. In this photo he is holding my youngest son, whom he adored but never really got to see him grow up and become a fine young man and is often told he looks like his grandfather.

2.   Several Christmas’ ago, I gave my mother a Circle of Love necklace that she returned to me stating that it was an article she wanted me to have.  This necklace reveals the love I have for my Mom and always keeps her dear to me.  It is through this necklace that I feel close to her and I feel receives her wisdom and encouragement.

3.   The DVD, Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.  I can and have watched this movie endlessly and always find a touch of something that I have missed before.  Through this account of her life, I see someone who eloquently never forgets where she came from and would not allow those around her to forget the struggle.

     It can be seen that through the items chosen how much I love my family and how significant they are in becoming the focal point of my life.  Everyone who has been a part of my life has nurtured and supported me, making me the person I am today.  These three items only show a small part of the love I have for them. 

     If told I had to give up two items, I would be devastated but would quickly keep the family photo.  Without the necklace I would feel empty, as if I was missing a part of myself (in turn my mother.) and would hate to give up treasured items, but they are just that items-material things.  The family photo could never be replaced. 

    This experience has made me reflect upon what is important to not only me but to my family.   It instills in me that family traditions build strong connections amongst each other and encourage a sense of identity to the younger generation and something for them to look forward to, if not pass along.