Growing
up in the 1950’s and 60’s, I remember clearly the scenes on the evening news of
police brutality and race riots across our nation. It was difficult to watch the treatment people
were subjected to especially in the South.
In my community, there was no evidence of segregation and for the most
part, there was equality for all. As a
child and even as an adolescent, I had a difficult time understanding what I
was seeing. Sadly, we didn’t discuss it
as a family so I was left to try to figure it out on my own. When I reached high school in the later 60’s,
I gained a better understanding of the issues.
In my high school, there seemed to be equal opportunity for all
students. Interracial dating was unusual
but it did occur.
The
segregation and unjust treatment of people of color completely diminished
equity which is what I feel led to the demonstrations
and eventual riots. Sadly, it was the
only thing left to bring about desperately needed change in our society.
As
a young person watching these things on the news and not having conversations
with my parents to help me understand what was happening, I was afraid and
confused. It was difficult to understand
why people were treated so differently in other parts of our country.
Reflecting back on this now, I realize that it was only when I learned about
the issues in school that I found myself developing my own perspective on civil
rights and the importance of equality.
That has remained with me throughout my life.
As
a country, those difficult times brought about necessary change. The government adopted laws that protected
all people from being treated so unjustly and proposed equality on all levels. While
I know we have made tremendous progress over the past 50 years, as I have gained
a deeper understanding of the issues related to diversity through this course
and others I have had on this journey toward my Master’s degree. I have come to realize we are not completely
there yet. There are still groups within our country that are subjected to bias,
prejudice and oppression in varying degrees. As an early childhood
professional, I feel I have a responsibility to the staff I work with, the
children and their families to be culturally responsive and respectful of all
people and accepting of the elements of their social identity that may be
different from mine.
Judi,
ReplyDeleteI think your blog post really proves what an important job parents have in educating their children on these matters. We cannot leave it up to the media or life to teach these lessons. Otherwise, the lesson learned, may not be the one we hoped for. Thanks for sharing your insightful post.
Judi,
ReplyDeleteReading your post brought back my memories of the riots in the early 1990's that stemmed from the beating of Rodney King by LAPD officers. I recall feeling very scared and wondering why, as King asked, "Why can't we just get along?"
In this century, in which children have memories of 911 and most recently Aurora Colorado, we must be vigilant in supporting them in their feelings. We must consider how we ourselves view others in these situations so that we can teach children how to be non-prejudicial.
Judith,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post, I was able to reflect on the history of bias, prejudice and oppression in our country and the effects they have left on our current system of social justice. As an early childhood professional, I feel inspired to continue working to help all families realize that they are entitled to equality and justice!