This week our assignment is to write about 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.
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
Once while on a vacation in Las Vegas as my husband and I walked down the main street "the strip" we saw many people performing and such. We saw a man in a wheelchair who was disabled with a sign that sat on his lap next to a bucket - which asked for money to eat. He had one hand that was able to control the wheelchair while the other hand was paralyzed. He didn't say anything but made eye contact with everyone he passed. As we passed a little girl stood staring at him while her parents looked inside the window of a store. The little girl yelled out, "Ahhh...scary monster man on wheels! - ahhhh....mommy what's wrong with him?" The mom quickly rushed over when she heard her child yelling and said "oh he's a drunk or on drugs sweetie, stop looking at him." As the disabled man passed, the back of his wheelchair had a sticker that read "War Vet".
It's unfortunate that children deal with these situations and experiences daily and are provided the wrong guidance. This child may now grow thinking that most disabled people in wheelchairs are on drugs or drunk.
An anti-bias educator may have said to the little girl that some people are disabled for various reasons and each with difference circumstances. This does not mean this man doesn't have feelings and doesn't want to be treated equally and respectfully like everyone else. Its not nice to yell and call anyone names and in this case the rule remains - be respectful.
