Communication Blog (Television) Wk. 2

The show I chose to observe was called Rules of Engagement. In the beginning there were five characters (two women and three men) in a restaurant eating. I thought they were two couples and one guy who were a friend or relative to one of them. As I observed their nonverbal communication, it looked as though they were eating and having fun, because they were smiling. One of the women stood up, kissed one of the men, and then she left. Later in the show the same couples and one friend were at a Christmas Party. All of them appeared to be having fun, except the single friend. What I got from this is he did not have a date, so he was not happy or having fun.

Once I turned the sound on I realized that I was correct that there were two couples and the other guy was a friend. The single friend hangs out with the couples often. The single friend is lonely because he isn’t married or in a relationship. If this had been a show I watched regularly my assumptions would have been correct.

Competent Communication

The person in my life who uses competent communication skills is my daughter. She is only 24 years old, but I have watched her grow into a very intelligent young lady. When she speaks to you she does it in a way that anyone can understand (adult, teenager, child, etc.). She ensures you understand what she is trying to say. She chooses her words carefully.  She will ask you if you understand what she is talking about. My daughter is currently in school for Psychology and the courses that she has taken have even broadened her communication skills.

I would want to model my communication skills after her. Communicating effectively is very important, not just for children and families, but for anyone who you come in contact with. My daughter has experience working with Pre-K children. I often observe how she communicates with her daughter. I have and will continue to use some of her communication techniques to communicate with children.

Professional Hopes and Goals

There are many things I hope for working with children from diverse backgrounds. One hope I have is there will be continued research about ways to assist these children and families. I know there can be difficulties when children from diverse backgrounds come together. There will be many different personalities and cultures coming together. I want all children to be accepting of one another no matter the nationality. I also hope no teachers are not biased, myself included, when working with children of diverse backgrounds. Children need educators who will treat them fairly.

I also have many goals related to children in the early childhood field related to diversity, equity, and social justice. One of my goals is to continually study ways to better the childhood field for children and families, especially children from diverse backgrounds. All children should have a teacher who is knowledgeable and a teacher who strives to do what is best for the students. I want to learn as much as I can to assist these children and families.

I would like to thank my instructor and my colleagues for another wonderful class.  This class was one of the best I’ve partaking in thus far. I have learned so much from all of you. I wish you all well with your continued studies.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The country I chose to explore is Austria. It is located in central Europe, north of Italy. Their language is German. Austrians greet by quick handshakes while maintaining eye contact. More information can be found at: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/austria-country-profile.html

I know that their culture will be different from my culture. To prepare myself to assist this family, I will research their culture and their family’s culture.

I will search for books, pictures, videos, etc. about Austria that I can share with the class and so the student can feel welcome. The fact that their language is German, I’m sure I would need a translator to assist with the communication process with the child and family. I will also learn some of the German language. I will encourage the student to share with the class information about their culture. While I am learning about their culture, I will also ensure the student learns about the United States’ culture. I will invite the family to come in to observe our class activities and to share things about their country.

Preparing for the children and family of Austria will help the children and family feel welcomed and valued because we are acknowledging their culture.

 

 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

I did not witness this event I am going to share, but it happened to someone very close to me. Last weekend my daughter went to the restaurant to pick some food up for us. As she arrived she said she saw a Caucasian man walking around the parking lot. She went in the restaurant to pick up the food. When she came out she said the man approached her cussing and asked her why was she parked so close to him. My daughter said his truck was on the line. She said “I’m sorry, but this was the only parking space”. She said he then said I don’t want to hear that (curse words). She said he starting calling her Nigga, trash, and other words. She said he got in her car and he stood in front of the car cussing at her and calling her racial names. She proceeded to pull off and he moved out the way. As she pulled off she said he looked at her tag on her car to see what county she was from and he said go back where you came from while still cussing.  My daughter called me in tears. When she arrived home she was still in tears and shaken. We tried to keep her daughter from seeing her this way because we knew she would have questions as to why her mother was crying. I told my daughter she should have called the police because he could have tried to hurt her physically. He had already hurt her emotionally. I was hurt and angry. I wanted to call the police and report him, but she said she saw him get in his truck and leave. Customers in the restaurant and others, who were arriving, witnessed this event. My daughter said no one said anything to him but they were commenting saying how awful it was.

Equity was diminished because my daughter had a right to park and be at the restaurant just as he did. He was the one who was not parked correctly, but he felt the need to accuse my daughter because she was African American. My daughter also looks very young for her age. I told her he also probably thought she was a young teenager who easy to pick on.

All people who are prejudice are going to have to change the way they think about people of other nationalities in order for there to be opportunity for greater equity. A person’s skin color does not define who they are. This world is so full of prejudices, and some against their won race.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

I was very surprised to have actually witnessed a microagression this week. It was during lunch time and the students were coming in for lunch. One of the students is from Africa. This particular student was misbehaving in the line and one of my co-workers said he’s been misbehaving every day this week.  One of the students, who is an African American, said that’s the African in him. I was in awe. I could not believe he said that. This was a micro insult. This child does not know the extent of what he said. I told him not to say that because it isn’t nice and where a person is from has nothing to do with their behavior.

That showed me it happens more frequently than I thought. Since I have learned about microagrression I will be more observant when someone is conversing and I will be more cautious about what I say. A microagression can happen without a person even realizing it.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

To find out how others view culture and diversity I spoke to three people. The people I spoke to were an African American female (24yrs old) an African American male (30yrs old)  and a Puerto Rican female (48yrs old). I asked them what culture and diversity meant to them.

 The African American female said culture meant to her how you were raised, your values, beliefs, and ethics. The male said your background or where you’re from. The Puerto Rican female said background, language, and food. I asked each what diversity meant to them and the African American female said liberal, open to different views, learning about different cultures, and experiencing different cultures. The male said ethnicities, the other female said people of different ethnicities.

Aspects of the definitions of culture and diversity that was included in what I have been studying are different ethnicities, language, and food. Other aspects of culture and diversity that wasn’t included were characteristics, dress, gender, body language, and lifestyles.

When I think about their views on culture and diversity, I realize these would have been the same answers I would have given had I not been studying about it. I’ve learned it is so much more to culture and diversity than I have ever imagined. Studying about culture and diversity has been an enlightening experience. I now view people differently. I know it’s more than the way they look, speak, and dress.