Sunday, February 24, 2019

Fragments Now Whole

Mirror Mirror On the Wall...
Do I know myself at all?
The more you think you're viewing clearer--
You soon realize you're in the mirror...

Distorted fragments of a familiar face,
one not defined by ethnicity, culture, or race
realization flows...tears of a clown,
details missed..first time around. 

Keys unlocking... doors forbidden,
looking deeper--find what's hidden
build the bridges, mutual respect,
something oftentimes we neglect. 

Shards of disregard we mend,
Never knew we'd find a friend...
looking closer was the key
Fragments whole--my identity. 


I chose this picture, not only because it was created by my younger sister (who's permission I was granted to use it) but because I believe that it embodies the pure definition of identity: When you look into the mirror, you realize that the only way to truly respect people who are different than you, is to take a look into the mirror and look deeper into yourself...all the way to the core, in order to find what your true identity.  I think that this shows us all to take a deep look inside in order to respect others. 

* Art by my sister: Anika Josephat

Sunday, February 17, 2019

"WE DON'T SAY THOSE WORDS IN CLASS"

"WE DON'T SAY THOSE WORDS IN CLASS"

As parents and educators, it is important in order to keep a sharp eye out on what our children are saying to one another (whenever possible), and especially moments when our children may be curious about someone else's appearance. I can honestly say that I have several times reprimanded my 8-year-old daughter within her lifetime because she has been overly vocal towards being curious about someone's appearance. I consider my current 8-year-old to be the overly inquisitive one, and the downside to that is that she is extra loud and occasionally unconsciously offensive without honestly trying to offend someone. 

On one occasion I remember that we were grocery shopping and a little girl who had to wear a leg brace and arm assists to walk was limping beside her mother. For whatever reason, my daughter asked me about the little girl's walking utensils in an extra loud manner when we were near the mother-daughter-pair and caused the little girl to look down. I was so embarrassed and reprimanded my daughter asking her how she would feel if someone did that to her, and had her to apologize to the little girl. The ironic thing is that my daughter had a true look of misunderstanding on her face as if she did not know that she offended the little girl. I think that was the moment that I decided to "educate" her genuinely for a moment right there in the store, and let her know how sometimes our words can unknowingly offend a person, and that if it was the other way around and someone said something towards her and hurt her feelings. A slight hint of understanding began to settle in, and my daughter took the initiative to re-apologize to the girl again, which seemed to mean more to her, because she smiled at my daughter. 

According to our wonderful reading, when "teachable" moments such as these occur, it is important to respond quickly and clearly, so that a child understands why they are being corrected. The text further explains that if we as educators ignore or these types of comments (even those with un-intended harm) it will give that child the "green light" to further make additional comments towards children who are different (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). The text also makes a very valid point that we should next, involve those children who were targeted, as well as the rest of the class so that everyone has the opportunity to learn from the experience (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). I must admit, that I actually did this, in this case, create an appropriate resolution that involved my daughter and the little girl. Once this was resolved, and my daughter and I returned home, I also involved my other 4 daughters, so that they would also have a heads up on what to do, and what not to do in this situation. Handling this situation as an educator can get out of hand if not handled correctly, so I am glad in this instance that I was able to apply a solution in a quick manner! 

Reference:

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.