Competent Communication

When I think of someone who has demonstrated competent communication and done so effectively, I think of my elementary school principal Mrs. Lorene Bentlty Cannon. She is a wonderful communicator, and always speaks well in whatever the situation may be. Mrs. Cannon is very well educated and takes her job very serious. I have never seen her out of character nomatter how harsh the company is she has. She is always polite and speaks with a graceful tone. I want to be able to speak and communicate as well as her. When communication is done effectively, great things happen.

Professional Hopes and Goals

I hope to help end the negativity associated with diversity in the course of career. I hope to help children who are seen as different and help them be accepted by everyone. I plan to make moves in the communities that have never been attempted before. Children are very special to me and I have a passion that burns deep as it relates to children and a fair education.

I would make a lot of changes in education dealing with diversity, equity, and social justice. I would ake sure that all educators dealing with students who are diverse are very open and welcoming. Making the children feel as comfortable as possible so that they can do the best that they can. Being open and understanding can really make a difference.

I would like to THANK each and everyone on my colleagues for a very successful eight week term. I have enjoyed reading your many posts and commenting on them too. This class has been very interesting. Learning about diversity has been the best subject area I have studied so far.

Welcoming Families Around The World

The name of the country that the new family is from is Fiji.

There are so many ways to prepare myself with the proper knowledge about this family. The things that I am going to do are:

1. I will google Fiji to actually read about the country and thier ways of doing things.

2. I will make sure I learn everything I need to know about thier culture so that I don't do or say anything that is disrespectful or insulting.

3. I will get to know the family, each person individually so that I can relate to them on a different level.

4. I will be very open to the differences we have in our cultures opposed to thiers and the way they do things.

5. I will also be very sensitive to thier beliefs and way of life.

I am hopeful that this will not only benefit my family, but the family from Fiji as well. I want my family to be aware and open to the very diversified world we live in and able to adapt to any situation without being bias.

The Personal Side of Bias, Predjudice, and Oppression

I remember going to a store called Plato's Closet with one of my close friends. This is a store were people bring gently worn really nice clothes and sell them to the store, who in turn sells it to it's customers. Well my friend brought in some really nice clothes, and at the same time this caucasion lady brought in some stuff also. They have a list of brands that they take, and my friend had some of them all. My friend dropped off her bag and started to browse. Not even a minute later she was paged to the front of the store and the young lady told her that they couldn't use any of her stuff. She even had items that still had tags on them. There was another young lady that worked there that was sitting on the floor going through the caucasion lady's bag very thoroughly. My friend didn't get upset, she got her bag and left.

The way my friend was treated at Plato's Closet was very prejudice. Because she was African American the store workers assummed that her clothes weren't good enough or even worth going through the bags for.

This incident brought about a lot of different feelings for me. It took me back to the days where African Americans were considered less than other races.

I don't know if things will ever change. Everyday I think things are getting better and better, and there is always a situation as such that makes me feel differently.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

I saw a couple of scenario's where microagression played a huge part. The one that stood out the most was when I attended the Black Friday sale at Walmart. I was in the line for a Nabi 2 tablet for my little girl and there was a white lady in fornt of me that was really rude. At ten o'clock which was the time the tablet went on sale the crowd got a little rowdy. There was pushing, yelling, and cursing. When we finally got our tablets, and purchased them I heard her tell her husband that those black people would mess up a wet dream. I was very outraged, insulted, and embarrassed. I did not know if I should respond or just get my purchase and go. This was clearly an example of micro-racism.

This affected me in so many ways. It showed me that here in Mississippi things have not changed. I don't want to be one of those people that keep racial hate alive, so I forgive those people and move on with my life because if I spend my time worrying about things that I cannot change, then I allow those things to take power over me and my life and that is not an option.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Danielle : Culture is a group of individuals with various differences whether it be race, religion, gender, or etc. Diversity is a variation of culture.

Phil :  Culture is social moreys, traditions, and tabu's of groups. Diversity is the acceptance of differences within your society or culture.


Generally everybody feels the same about what culture and diversity mean. Basically it's the many different things about us individually that makes us who we are. What I have learned is that Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. There are a few things that have been ommitted about culture. They left out that culture is defined as the shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs, and affective understanding that are learned through a process of socialization. When I look at thier definitions it makes me think about the way I define culture. My definition of culture is  inherited ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge, which constitute the shared bases of social action.

My Family Culture

The three items that I would take to keep me in touch with my culture are very important to me.The first thing I would pack is the Bible. I dnt know where I will be sent and if they will have the same beliefs as myself and my family. I would never want them to forget about thier faith. The second thing I would take is my photo album. I don't ever want to forget my family and friends and the good times we shared. The third thing I would take is the baddest pair of high heels in my closet. I love shoe and even if I don't get to wear them again, just looking at them is enough.

If when I get to where I am going and I have to give up two of my items it would devestate me. I had to think long and hard about which items I just couldn't leave behind and to be told that I still have to eliminate two of my items would make me really angry. I would be furious, probably irate.

I have learned that my reliegon is the most important thing in my life. If nothing else I would take my bible because it is the most important when it comes to my culture. The values I share with my family are important to me.