Start Seeing Diversity Blog: "We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

"Educators who do speak out, who take action in the name of anti-bias education, find that most times all parties share the same aim: to protect children from bias and prejudice."

·         A time when you witnessed an adult (or yourself) reprimand or silence a child after he or she pointed out someone they saw as different (e.g., "That lady talks funny," " That man only has one leg!" "Why is that man so pretty!"). Include what the child said and what the adult did or said in response. (Note: If you cannot think of a specific time ask a friend or family member.)

·         What messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response.

·         An example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child's (or classroom's ) understanding.

 At my church there is a young man that has autism.  Often he makes different noises and sounds during the services and sometimes when he is upset he may scream. During one of his episodes, one of children started laughing and pointing and making comments about this young man. The child said, He is crazy, why is he yelling like that.  The adult simply replied, just stop it okay.  She never took the time to explain that the child had a disorder that caused him to behave in a certain way but merely allowed the child to believe the other child was crazy. This of course upset me because this is something that should have been handled in a way that didn't leave the child believing the child was as she stated "crazy".  If she had taken the time to educate the child along with the children around her the seriousness of biases or prejudices, they probably would not be so judgmental the next time they saw someone acting differently from what they were used to seeing. 

Educators would explain why it is important to ask questions before making comments and also let the child see how wrong it is to call names. Since the adult did not address the fact the child called the other child crazy, the child is to assume that it is okay to say bad things about others.

I believe an educator would have taken the time to say to the children that there are people that have disabilities and illnesses that cause them to act a certain way when they are happy, sad, excited or angry. "The more passion you have about the need for creating a world of justice and peace for children, the more you will be able to make it a priority in your work".   When we can get rid of our prejudices and biases and things that make us uncomfortable, then will we be able to teach it to others. But first we have to recognize when there is a issue that needs to be addressed and know how to address it. We have to be the example.