This week we were to think about one stressor factor that we have experienced in our lives that has resulted in a Triumph rather than a negative overall experience. From the list of chosen stressors, though there are many that I can attest to--I believe that racism is one factor that I did actually experience as a child many times. When I was in kindergarten, I was trying to test into the advanced gifted program (C.L.U.E.).  I took many tests that were given to me including IQ and different gifted and advanced placement tests that at the time in the early 90s were being given to children. Although I did pass those tests and receive a score that was high enough to test into the advanced and gifted program for my elementary school, we were told that kindergarteners were not allowed to enter into the gifted and advanced program; so I would have to wait until I entered first grade in order to enter into the program. Initially, I did not think that there was anything wrong with this fact, until I entered into the first grade, gained entry into the advanced and gifted program for my school, and learned that there were children who were returning from their kindergarten year.  This at the time upsetting for two main reasons:  one reason was that there were very few black children who were at my elementary school, and the second reason was that we were told that there would be no kindergarteners within the gifted program. When my mother found out about this she was highly upset, and she approached the school administration to question the rules. Once she questioned the actual Administration, the administration tried to apologize, and claim that they did not know how I was refused entry into the program; however, I did know. Even though I was young I did understand that I had experienced racism and that the reason that I was not permitted into the program must be the advanced program was a majority White program. When I entered into the program in first grade I was one of two black children within the program and the returning children who initially had gained entry and kindergarten-- some of which were in my kindergarten class, were white children. Rather than feeling deeply scarred by this situation at the time my mother and I talked a good deal about what happened and how I felt. This did help me to understand the unfairness in the world, however, I knew that it did not justify racism or unfairness that was in the world at the current time.

Many different areas racisms is still prevalent, the country of Libya currently there are still darker hued people who are being treated ill-mannered, and even sold as slaves in 2018. Likewise in the country of Israel, the black people are being treated in an ill-mannered way, and a racist and Prejudice manner that is in-conclusively an overall inhumane manner. The treatment of black people in these areas and darker hued people in areas such as Libya is unacceptable and should be more addressed within our society. The cognitive damage, as well as psychosocial damaged that is done to the human psyche within people of the black race, is irreversible, and the only way to truly heal, (in my opinion), would be to bring the injustice to the Forefront and eliminate it from the Daily normal functions of society.

 I love the "Controversial Opinion." Most people would view the photo on the left as an advertisement for the "Friendly" neighborhood "Flu shot," or Immunization booster shots for school. However, when this picture symbolizes something important in the studies and first-hand experience that I have had with immunizations/vaccines. I began to study the not-so-nice side of vaccines and immunizations in 2013 after the birth of my 4th daughter. My husband and I had been diving into extensive research on various topics of concern within the community, and immunizations and vaccines were one of those topics. Once I started seeing research that discussed the problems that a growing number of parents were facing with the immunizations having adverse effects that led to polio and autism, I, myself stopped immunizing my children cold turkey! I even started researching the laws in my state to protect my children's rights, as well as, my rights to not be forced to have my daughters immunized.
When my oldest daughter was in Kindergarten Arlington, TN, the school nurse tried to call and question me about my daughter's shot record, and why I didn't have her immunized for that particular school year.  I was nervous and anxious all at once, but because I have always stood firm on my research and opinion, I told her about my research and apologized to her in advance, because I would not be immunizing my daughter no matter what the repercussion. To my surprise, the nurse not only supported my decision 100 percent, but she also confessed that she herself had stopped medicating her own children. The school nurse's reasoning stemmed from her first-hand experience with working in a well-known hospital in Tennessee that was administering medication to patients that were deemed medically unnecessary. The feeling of relief washed through me that I would not have to put up a fight, even though I was ready and willing at any moment!

According to an NPR article from 2011 entitled: "Vaccine Mistrust Spreads to the Developing World," there has been vast mistrust with regards to most vaccines administered by public health workers--especially in countries such as Kenya, Afghanistan, and Nigeria (just to name a few). Most of the controversy was caused because of the rumor that the vaccines were causing paralysis. The article stated that many US and Europe anti-vaccine groups fed many of the fears, but that public health workers had been working arduously to get the children vaccinated regardless of the stigma--even though it did hold some truths. Children were getting the polio vaccine in Africa, and many were getting paralysis; there had simply been no medical confirmation of the interconnectivity at that time. Though children are still receiving the vaccines, the parents of many of the children are similarly not as accepting as one might think. Here is some Further Reading: 

• https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/07/25/138672535/vaccine-mistrust-spreading-to-the-developing-world
• Miller,E.(2015). Controversies and challenges of vaccination: An interview with Elizabeth Miller. BMC Medicine, 13(267). 

The Birthing Miracle!!

As I look around, I see warm colors and a basic furniture layout...an entertainment shelf, a couch, large basic tv, and various machinery monitoring my heart rate, pulse, and my first baby girl's heart rate. I have been looking at this same room layout for 4 weeks--ever since I was advised that I needed to be on bedrest until I reach term (36 months) for my first pregnancy. I knew it would be a long solitary confinement for the next few weeks, and I knew at that time it would be an interesting experience. 
I was 21 years old when I became pregnant with my first daughter. I was working at the time at Kohl's Department Store in Cordova, TN, and instead of gaining large amounts of weight like a normal pregnancy, I lost over 25 pounds of the course of my pregnancy. I remember going to work one day (as a sales floor associate for housewares) at Kohl's, and after going against the doctor's orders--I did a good deal of heavy lifting and arranging the items that were on the houseware's floor. I then remember the rest in flashes...I was standing behind the Customer Service desk helping a woman locate an item at another store...I began to perspire and feel light-headed...then in the next instance, I recall the woman literally jumping over the little wooden flapping door that led behind the register and a scream about calling an Ambulance.  I had passed out! According to one of my co-workers, I fell out while assisting the young woman, and landed right on my stomach. The next thing I remember was whirling in the back of an ambulance, followed by waking up in a small hospital room. Several tests were run to make sure myself and the baby were okay--and after finding that everything was presumably okay, I was to follow up with my OBGYN. 
After following up with my doctor I found out that the hospital diagnosed me with having a short cervix and being a high-risk pregnancy. Believe it or not, it was after passing out a second time, again at work, that I was placed on bed rest in the hospital...forced to voluntarily resign from my job, because I had no protection of maternity leave, even though I had been employed at Kohls for over a year...
Flashforward--I remember being induced for labor, only to moments be rushed into the operating room for an ALLEGED necessary C-Section. Though I had suspicions about the manner in which my delivery was handled--holding on to the little body of my firstborn daughter was a truly surreal experience. My sister who was 3 years younger than me was there, to help welcome this small chocolate chip into the world, and the radiance of female energy flowed into her small vibrant body. 
My birthing experience, little did I know at that time, was the first of 5 deliveries that I would bring forth into the galaxy. Each experience more different than the next; more lessons learned as mother nature gently lured me along the narrow path. Because I was just starting my undergrad, I did school work (papers and tests) after each c-section was performed...with the nurses saying I was crazy for trying to pry my fleshly cut body in an upright position and complete course-work...but I knew I was fighting for something greater....I was fighting for the future. 

In the country of Ghana, birth (just as in all African Countries) is seen as a divine ceremony of life...a bringing forth from the ancestors and Gods. Before the birth of a child in some tribes of Ghana, a mother was told to refrain from doing certain superstious acts such as: looking at an ugly animal/deformed person(such as a monkey) and also staying away from items that lacked beauty. This was emphasized because it was believed that if an expectant mother looked upon an item/person of deformity or "unsightliness" it could cause the baby to take on an unpleasant appearance at birth! In certain tribes in Ghana, it was also said that the mothers and babies might receive an inscribed mark on the face in order to recognize them if they were to "reincarnate" and to take away any followed spiritual powers. 
When the baby is born, according to Accan tradition, a baby is given 7 days to make sure that the baby is safe and 'here to stay' within this land of the living. After it is determined that the baby is in good health, a very important ceremony, called an outdooring takes place. This ceremony (depending on the gender of the child) is seen as a welcoming ceremony into this realm, and a libation (or dedication) to the ancestor to see the potential of the gift that was given. The ceremony is guided by an elder of good character (male or female depending on the gender of the baby) and a series of small tests of endurance take place with the baby, such as moving the baby gently around with your foot, in order evaluate the strength--followed by the VERY important naming of the baby takes place. Once the baby is named, to seal the deal, a strong (usually a palm wine) is brushed across the baby's lips to set the name and purpose in life...in stone. Here is a video that shows one of the ceremonies: 

Sources: /http://myghanaroots.com/2013/12/31/ghanaian_birth_customs/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB01-_2XYvs

Welcome! Habari Gani!

Habari Gani! Welcome to my humble abode! I welcome you and am thrilled to get to start a blog, that is mandatory because it has been on my to-do list for the past 5 years as a long-time writer!! Having seen first hand in the educational realm the true fight that is occurring in teaching children's education with an emphasis on creating positive images of themselves (as kids), and truly honoring and appreciating their cultural diversity--I knew that an "unlearning" needed to take place within the educational system. With 5 small daughters of my own; I saw first hand that this must take place in order to make a serious change in the educational scene, but more importantly, make a positive difference in how the children view the world. I hope through various posts and information, that my words, insight and shared bits of research and wisdom, will help to lead to a remarkable difference in the Early Development of children's lives!