The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

 

 

 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

 

 

Prejudice has always been an issue that I have had a problem with. I just can’t understand why people would want to teach this negative behavior to their children and poison them with that nonsense. I am an African and when I look back on the history of how my race has been treated compared to other races its heart breaking. I remember when my aunt purchased the restaurant that my grandmother worked in when they were children. The signs above the doors that said blacks and whites only were still present. I just don’t understand how one can feel that they are better than someone because of their race, gender, or even economic status. I am a firm believer that we are all the same and come from the same ancestors, no one man is better than the next.

A few years back I was on face book and came across a movie clip that someone had share from a movie titled “Mr. and Mrs. Loving”. When I watched the clip the movie and more the plot of the movie sparked my interest. So of course me being the inquisitive person that I am I began to do my research on the main characters on the movie, and found out that it was true story along with a court case. To sum the movie up Mr. and Mrs. Loving met when they were just teenagers. They quietly fell in love and when Mildred became pregnant at the age of 18 they did what they thought was right and got married. However they would soon find out that society felt otherwise. They were married during a time when interracial marriages were looked down on, especially between blacks and whites. On July 11, 1958 the young and very much in love couple were married in Washing DC. They were not able to get married in Virginia due to the Virginia's Racial Integrity Act of 1924 (known as an anti-miscegenation law) after getting married they returned to their home in Caroline County, Virginia (https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/388/1).  It wasn’t long before their martial bliss was covered by dark clouds October 1958, the Circuit Court [p3] of Caroline County, a grand jury issued an indictment charging the Lovings with violating Virginia's ban on interracial marriages. On January 6, 199, the Lovings pleaded guilty to the charge, and were sentenced to one year in jail; however, the trial judge suspended the sentence for a period of 25 years on the condition that the Lovings leave the State and not return to Virginia together for 25 years. He stated in an opinion that:

Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And, but for the interference with his arrangement, there would be no cause for such marriage. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix (https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/388/1).

Everyone is entitled to their opinion this true, but this has to be the most ignorant comment that I have ever heard, coming from someone not only of the judicial system an educated professional that is supposed to be in favor for liberty and justice for all. This was just the beginning of their legal battle. It would not be to 1967 when the court would rule in their favor. The laws that were in place in the earlier years when it came to black and whites were just ignorant and unjustifiable. Love is a universal culture and language. The fact that these two were not to be together diminished equity to the fullest. We cannot help who we fall in love and should not be punished for doing so. I could not imagine being married to a man and having to move away from home town for the safety of our family. Then only visiting family members by going back home separately that’s no way for anyone to have to live. As you can see just from this case alone prejudice can be a very hurtful thing. I have experienced it more than once as I have expressed in other assignments, and I had never felt so hurt and helpless in my life. I remember when I was younger my cousin had a Chinese girlfriend. My family was very accepting of her and welcomed her every time she was in our presence. On the other hand her family was not in favor of my cousin at all because he was African American. The fact that he was a respect armed forces veteran and had numerous degrees didn’t mean anything to them. Eventually they broke up, I always thought it was a shame how their love couldn’t survive due to prejudices.   

Since the Loving VS. Virginia case mostly all of the segregation laws have been thrown out. However I feel that they were just rewritten in another form because prejudice is still present today in our judicial system and in our government. In order for us to continue to fight for equality for all and we must first learn to think outside the box and not be set in our own ways. Traveling is a good start because it helps to learn more about others and their reasons for living a certain way and doing things. It also good to take courses on diversity like this one to help you to see unknown biases that you may have. Be clear when communicating with people. One idea that I like the most is befriended someone of another race. Don’t be afraid to ask that coworker of a different race to lunch, you might find out you’ll have more in common than you think.

 

If you want to learn more about the Loving VS. Virginia case you can easily google them or check out the movie titled “Loving” Which came out on November 4 of this year.

 

(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fen%2F3%2F34%2FMildred_Jeter_and_Richard_Loving.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLoving_v._Virginia&docid=oNqdwAFTgeO8qM&tbnid=L8vMmJn5NL5PFM%3A&vet=1&w=648&h=434&bih=612&biw=1301&ved=0ahUKEwiWx_LY29jQAhXDbSYKHTSGAMEQMwgxKAAwAA&iact=mrc&uact=8)

 

(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fanitanyoung.files.wordpress.com%2F2014%2F02%2Fwpid-loving-4.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fanitanyoung.wordpress.com%2Ftag%2Floving-v-virginia%2F&docid=XP_nl5L9hi6uuM&tbnid=VVB-0yGv7rXlmM%3A&vet=1&w=456&h=303&bih=612&biw=1301&ved=0ahUKEwiWx_LY29jQAhXDbSYKHTSGAMEQMwgzKAIwAg&iact=mrc&uact=8)

(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.afer.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F06%2FLoving-quote.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fafer.org%2Fblog%2F45th-anniversary-of-loving-v-virginia-a-case-for-marriage-equality%2F&docid=e68RyItl1l82XM&tbnid=hnj1KnRMAWIHfM%3A&vet=1&w=912&h=434&bih=612&biw=1301&ved=0ahUKEwiWx_LY29jQAhXDbSYKHTSGAMEQMwg3KAYwBg&iact=mrc&uact=8)

(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FFaHhZ4IbVYY%2Fhqdefault.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFaHhZ4IbVYY&docid=zw0tX_CuAFgTpM&tbnid=5zatyo0iJXzjoM%3A&vet=1&w=480&h=360&bih=612&biw=1301&ved=0ahUKEwiWx_LY29jQAhXDbSYKHTSGAMEQMwhBKBAwEA&iact=mrc&uact=8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/388/1

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

 

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

 

 

I have really enjoyed learning about microagression, it has taught be so about the different aspects of biases. Before the only thing I really knew about people being bias was when people display prejudice. Now I know it is so much more than that. Granted all microagressions are very important but I have to be honest, racial microagression is the one that I have experienced the most. Microagressions can have long term affects like low self-esteem, mental health, self-concept, and more.

Yesterday, I was a victim of racial microagression at my job. I was in the process of filling some forms that pertain to my job during my maternity leave. So I called the lady in human resources who handles things like this to ask her two question. The same lady who has had many complaints against her because of her prejudice ways, especially against Africa Americans. However I simply asked her about what date to put on the form. She then proceed to tell me that one of the dates that I had asked about putting on the form did not apply to what I was filling the form out for. In a very nice way I explained to her that I was fully aware of what short term disability was and did not wish to get paid for anything but the days that were stated by my doctor that I would be out. Her response to me was and I quote “Well you put down whatever you want to put down and we are going to just send it in!” I immediately became angry because I felt that if it had been someone of her own I knew she wouldn’t have been rude like that, because I have seen how different she is with certain people. I wish there was some one that I could report her to, but unfortunately it’s not. Her boss is our executive director, who is well aware of previous complaints that have been made against this lady. So I know even if I talked to her and expressed how I feel, I conversation would be no more than just more water under the bridge. In addition to being angry, I also felt helpless.  I don’t know if she has gotten comfortable with treating people like this because she know there will be no actions taken against her, or if she is just tired of her job but won’t retire. Whatever the case maybe I wish that she would find it in her heart to be a better person, because feelings are all that some people have.

My experience with this week made me want to be a better person. It made me think about the way that I treat and react to people. It also made me think about how to handle myself when I am the victim of any type of microaggression. In my case I feel that maybe the community organization that I work for should do more works shops on diversity and maybe even microaggressions. After all Dr. Sue does suggest that  o successfully address systemic and individual microagressions, organizations must develop a systematic and long term commitment to educate the entire work force concerning diversity (Sue 2010).  Maybe if things like this are done people will begin to be more aware of their biases.

 

 

References

Sue, Derald, Wing. (2010) Micoraggression in everyday life Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation.NJ: John Wiley & Sons

(http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiT1IGCrLbQAhWJgFQKHbcHDUcQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturnerconsultinggroup.weebly.com%2Fblog-thamina-jaferi%2Fmicroaggressions-trendy-buzz-word-or-something-to-think-about&psig=AFQjCNEYuoKJJnOrFOmQyoLj7c7h183BuQ&ust=1479697214527460)


(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campusanswers.com%2Fassets%2FUploads%2F_resampled%2FResizedImage355297-campus-microaggressions.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campusanswers.com%2Fmicroagressions-on-campus%2F&docid=H4_IuTODxg4juM&tbnid=wIYMjI4Chl_FVM%3A&vet=1&w=355&h=297&bih=804&biw=1708&ved=0ahUKEwj8iYv2q7bQAhUjjVQKHUiICXM4ZBAzCBMoEDAQ&iact=mrc&uact=8

 
(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.quickanddirtytips.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2F6814%2Fracism-diversity-solitude-isolation-fish.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.quickanddirtytips.com%2Fhealth-fitness%2Fmental-health%2Fhow-to-deal-with-racism&docid=PiSUSrmiycjbBM&tbnid=h3OB0Mg9_xEwjM%3A&vet=1&w=1000&h=884&bih=804&biw=1708&ved=0ahUKEwio-9ThrLbQAhVKj1QKHQDfDEI4yAEQMwhXKFUwVQ&iact=mrc&uact=8)

 

 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Hello class, this was a very enlightening assignment. I always love when I get to ask people outside of class for their opinion on the topics that we are discussing. This week I had the pleasure of talking to a good family friend, my sister, and my aunt. They were all very eager to help me when I told them I needed their assistance for this class. I valued all of their opinions and they were all quite interesting to me.

My interviews went as follows:

Leah:  Angela, What is your definition of culture and diversity?

Angela: “Culture is what you are raised around, you’re its morals and values that are taught to you by your family members. “ “Diversity is the outside world around you”

Leah: Cynthia, What is your definition of culture and diversity?

Cynthia- “Diversity is the state of having people who are different races, religions, and organizations live in the same community and get along.” “Culture is a set of rules and guidelines that you grow up by, it can be your language, religion, the way you dress, or even the way you talk.

Leah: Elle, What is your definition of culture and diversity? (Elle is my good friend who is Muslim he requested that I not use his real name. I was very delighted that he agreed to answer these two questions because he is a very secluded person and does not talk a lot.)

 

Elle- “Culture is knowing your history of the lineage that you as a family member and an individual comes from. It is the way you are taught to live your life until you enter the world and learn otherwise.”

“Diversity on the other hand is the difference between the learned cultures of individuals.”

 

All three of my participants gave wonderful answers to my questions, and I appreciate them for their valued opinions. I feel that the aspects of culture that I have learned in this class that were in my answers were dominant culture for one. Hence when Elle stated that “Culture is knowing your history of the lineage that you as a family member and an individual comes from. It is the way you are taught to live your life until you enter the world and learn otherwise.” Dominant culture makes one feel that their culture may not be correct, or can make one feel bad about being a part of their culture.  I also feel like culture class was introduced in some of the definition for diversity, because in reality a mixture of different cultures can cause a culture clash within a community. I also feel that family culture was expressed in each of the definitions for culture. I don’t feel that any of the aspects of culture and diversity were omitted however they were merely not mentioned. For instance social identities were not discussed, also culture and diversity in the school setting was not discussed. All of the definitions on culture and diversity made me value the opinions of others even more. It also made me realize that people all have their own unique thoughts of what culture and diversity, but at the end of the day they all have their same meaning of each topic.  It is always good to hear the opinions of others, it’s good to think outside the box at times.

 

(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsocialstudies.pppst.com%2Fbanner_culture.gif&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsocialstudies.pppst.com%2Fculture.html&docid=nQoCcxMpOs-3nM&tbnid=UieYYRKwEF7JqM%3A&vet=1&w=709&h=265&bih=804&biw=1708&ved=0ahUKEwjZvO6AwaTQAhWi3oMKHWZ8BgIQMwhjKA0wDQ&iact=mrc&uact=8)

(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.returnofkings.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F01%2Fdiversity.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.returnofkings.com%2F53413%2Fthe-true-meaning-of-diversity&docid=JYNwupcyIO_j5M&tbnid=ew0HiGwpCMcZaM%3A&vet=1&w=528&h=360&bih=804&biw=1708&ved=0ahUKEwjt4dmiwaTQAhWH34MKHV7hALsQMwhmKBEwEQ&iact=mrc&uact=8)

 

 

My Family Culture

My Family Culture

 

 

 

 

Hello class, this was a really interesting assignment. It really made me think long and hard and myself and my culture. Most people have things that they cherish that represent their culture in a very major way. For instance I have an uncle that has a lot of cultural art pieces and clothing from Africa that a friend who lives there sent to him via mail. Me on the other hand I don’t have that many items that represent my culture, but more so represent my interest. Immediately I be began thinking of all my belongings and how they related to my culture and which of the items that I would decide to take with me.

The first thing that came to my mind was a picture that was taken of my grandmother in the 1940’s. A wooden musical jewelry box that my great grandmother gave to my father, and lastly a calendar hand made by my grandmother. I would take the picture of my grandmother because she was the matriarch of our family, the glue that held us together. Even though she is with me in spirit and in my heart this picture has been in my family for years. She was the one that instilled morals and values in all of us, she taught me a lot about our culture. I would bring the jewelry box because it represents my father side of the family, my father cherished this jewelry box and once told me that it had been in my family for a while. So I guess it’s safe to say it is a family heirloom. I don’t have many items from my father’s side of the family so it would be very important to me to take this jewelry box with me. I would take the calendar that my grandmother made because it reminds of how people from my family like to make different arts and crafts.  

If once I got there I was told that I could only take one of the items, I would take the picture of my grandmother Aline. This would be my item of choice because she was very influential in my life. She taught not only her family but some many others different things about our culture. For instance she always had an outstanding garden every year. Keeping her picture would be a constant reminder of everything she every taught me and it would give a face to my children who never got a chance to meet her. My grandmother only had an eight grade education however she was very intelligent. She successfully raised seven children by herself along with helping to take care of others. That picture of her means a lot to me. This assignment really made me appreciate my grandmother for everything that she taught me even more. I always that highly of any possessions that she might have had, it kind of helps me to cope with the fact that she is no longer with us. However I hope that I am never put in the position to have to make a tough decision such as this.

 

Follow the link to see the picture of my grandmother Aline

(This is similar to what my father's jewelry box looks like)

 

When I Think of Research

When I Think of Research

 

 

 

 

Hello class, I hope all of you are enjoying your weekend. I would like to first start off by saying that it has really been a pleasure sharing this class with you’ll. I would like to thank you for all of your support that you’ll have shown me especially Dr. Todd. I was terrified of taking this class, and when we had our first discussion board and I read all of you’ll responses you’ll helped to give me the will power to go on. You’ll could never even imagine how much I appreciated all of you’ll support. I learned so much in this class about research and its connection to early childhood education.

 

This course taught me that research is what you make it to be. I learned about the different steps that are taken when conducting different types of research, which I found very helpful. I was under the impression that research was hard and confusing, but after taking this class I see that it’s really not. I learned that if the correct steps are followed and information is collected and analyzed correctly it is not hard at all. Most important you have to be focused on what you are doing, and have a research outline that you can follow.

I leaned so much about planning, designing, and conducting research. I learned that when planning research you have to make sure that you think everything threw. Also make sure you pick a research design that aligns with the type of research that you are doing, it will make it easier for you when conducting research. When conducting research I learned you should make sure researchers up held the code of ethics related to research, and also if the research involves children it is important to make sure permission is given by parents and the child for them to participate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only challenges that I can honestly say I had was trying to understand they different types of research. I also had to really think about things it was time for me to choose which research design would be best for my research stimulus. I did a lot of reading and going back and forth. It was also challenging at times to redefine the definitions that we had on our charts. Once I took Dr. Todd’s advice and began to redefine the definitions along with using examples of what they meant, it became a little easier. My perception of early childhood professionals has been modified by me seeing just how much more important early childhood professionals are. Early childhood professionals are the ones that help students lay the foundation for academic career. They are the ones that work tersely to help children learn basic skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. They support parents through their child’s development. Early childhood professionals are the wind beneath their students and their family’s wings. They leave long lasting impressions on the families that they serve.  

 

I am proud to be an early childhood educator, even though I can’t wait to further advance in the field. Again it has been a pleasure being your student Dr. Todd, and sharing this class with all of my classmates. I almost feel like I know you’ll personally. In the beginning of this course I found out I was five months pregnant with my third child, I am a high risk due to my first child being premature so please keep us in your prayers. So far everything is going fine. I wish everyone much success in their next class, I hope to continue this journey with you’ll. Again thanks for being a wonderful support team.

 

 

 

 

 

(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fchainimage.com%2Fimages%2Fearly-childhood-education-information-brochure-pdf.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fchainimage.com%2Fstocks%2Feducation-research-topic-suggestions-on-early-childhood-education&docid=Ym1aidId41sIoM&tbnid=ASnJj4YlVZcaFM%3A&w=2625&h=1725&bih=756&biw=1607&ved=0ahUKEwjnlYrK5-_PAhUMFz4KHSwqCoEQMwg9KBQwFA&iact=mrc&uact=8

(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncpolicywatch.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F11%2Fpvladd.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncpolicywatch.com%2F2013%2F11%2F14%2Fresearch-confirms-the-effectiveness-of-early-childhood-education-investments%2F&docid=CIedkylLTtnzhM&tbnid=0L-RoZ1dTTyQfM%3A&w=400&h=270&bih=756&biw=1607&ved=0ahUKEwjnlYrK5-_PAhUMFz4KHSwqCoEQMwhCKBkwGQ&iact=mrc&uact=8)

(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sheffield.ac.uk%2Fpolopoly_fs%2F1.598345!%2Fimage%2FSlide2Small.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sheffield.ac.uk%2Feducation%2Fresearch%2Fcrec&docid=ylXL0UnV9kG_EM&tbnid=J_LQEj3GQ7SIkM%3A&w=785&h=261&bih=756&biw=1607&ved=0ahUKEwjnlYrK5-_PAhUMFz4KHSwqCoEQMwhaKDEwMQ&iact=mrc&uact=8)