Welcoming Families from Around the World

The family's country of origin is Busan, South Korea. The countries majority religion is Buddhism, and the language is Korean established in an alphabet called Hangul (Szczepanski, 2015).

Five ways that I can prepare to be culturally responsive is by first gaining a true understanding of the families

• Researching the families culture, religion, and customs.
• Based on the research make the appropriate accommodations to the learning environment to make the family feel welcomed and familiar with some aspects of the classroom.
• Collaborate with other teachers and staff about the family's customs, traditions and religion which could affect how the family is perceived.
• Introduce South Korean literature, interpreted newsletters, introduction to the classroom, as well as use the international calendar to incorporate holidays, or at least learn them and respect them. 
• Schedule a time to actually sit down with the family to discuss their expectations, if any, give them an insight on our program and give them a chance to get to know me and our staff as well as learn about their family.

By embracing the family's culture at the same time introducing the child care environment would be a way to create a collaboration between the family, and the learning environment that gives a solid foundation in the beginning. Building a comforting, solid foundation in the beginning of the partnership is a way to ensure a successful transition into the program and for the child.

Reference
Szczepanski, K. (2015). South korea: Facts and History Retrieved on the Asian History website
http://asianhistory.about.com/od/southkorea/p/South-Korea-Facts-And-History.htm

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression

     "Get to the back of the bus, girl." "Eyes down, and do your work." These are phrases I remember my grandmother using in stories she would tell us, my siblings and cousins, about how things were for her when she was a child and growing up. My grandmother passed away at the age of 96 years old last year. She would lecture us about the importance of education because that was a luxury that she didn't have full access to like we do now. When my grandmother was six years old she had to begin working, as a girl, and African American girl, the future or life for her was stapled to being a maid, and caregiver. Born in 1916, she often experienced the likes of racism, prejudice and oppression most of her life. Voting, diplomas, and the freedom to come and go as you please were all dreams for my grandmother.
  For my grandmother her rights as a human being were striped from her. Equity was something unheard of unless you were apart of the dominant culture. Reading, writing and arithmetic were things that my grandmother did not have the privilege of capitalizing on. With very little education, she was able to learn the basics of writing her name, and adding and subtracting.
     When ever I think of this type of oppression and prejudice, although things have evolved somewhat from how they were for my grandmother I get overwhelmed. I get overwhelmed by the thoughts of how it mentally and emotionally destroy a person to be stripped of their power because of their race. I am grateful that today we as Black people have more control over our own lives.
   Now after several laws and changing in the mind set of people on equal rights, this problem still exist to a certain degree. By continuing to gain an understanding of diversity, equity, microaggressions, and isms we can continue to work, so that all people can live free. Just like Nadiyah spoke of in the video, racism still exist, but in new ways where people are oppressed or discriminated against because of their hair, or choice in whom they love (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).

Reference
 Laureate Education. (2011). In her own voice: Nadiyah Taylor. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Awareness of Microaggression

     Experiencing micro aggression is one of those things you never forget, even in conversations with others who have experienced it stands out strong in my mind. I would like to discuss a friend of mine whom experienced micro insult from a relative. A friend of mine is a lesbian female in her early twenties. She always dreamed of being a mom, but because of her love interest the thought was easier than the actions. In her attempt to express to family members how she wanted to become a mom, and her options. A cousin said to her, "why would you want your child to go through all of the troubles you are going through now." Once my friend got over the shock of the comment, she asked, "what do you mean by that?" Her cousin said, "You are gay, and your child will grow up to be gay, and have to go through the same issues with acceptance that you do." At this point, my friend said that she was so hurt on the inside that she couldn't respond to react to the comment. The micro aggressive remarks from her cousin implied that if you are a gay or lesbian person that when you have children they will be gay or lesbian too.
     Even though this week we were suppose to discuss a situation where we experienced micro aggression ourselves, I though that this topic was more interesting to discuss. For a person of the gay or lesbian statue there are many other stigmas and stereotypes to discuss, but I found this to be a very serious topic. In my years of being an Early Educator, I have had the privilege of working with a few families of the same sex, and their love, nurture and care was on the same level as the other parents that take good care of their children. As far as their children growing up to be gay or lesbian because they are gay and lesbian is something that should not be stamped on them. I think it goes into the same category when you say to people because you are a single parent, then your children will grow up to be a single parent.
     Hearing stories like this makes me think of my teachings from the Bible that talks about how we as people should not judge one another, God is the only judge. Even though I may not agree with a person's life style, I still believe in respecting others and giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Parenting and influence is one of those things that the topic is so broad and wide that the best thing to do is hope for the best outcome for all of our children.

Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Microaggression in everyday life. Retrieved on the Walden website https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_6529245_1&content_id=_23292860_1