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.
Shayla, How horrible for that man! It is so true that we need to be respectful. How do you teach that in the classroom though? How do you teach kids to respect when respect means so many different things to different people?
ReplyDeleteShayla,
ReplyDeleteThis was a great story to share, however I am totally upset that the mother would react and say the things that she said. IAll she had to do was get her child by her side, the mother didn't have to say a word. I would have to said something to the mother, myself!
I would have told the little exactly what you said.
It is sad to see that the first and most important teachers, are providing the children with the wrong information. That instead of taking the time to talk to the children about differences and the importance of respecting others, they transmit feelings such as bias and discrimination towards these differences, what makes it even harder when teachers are trying to teach children about differences, and how important it is to consider how others might feel.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience Shayla
Shayla,
ReplyDeleteThat was a great example. Wow, the mother's response was horrible she really did not teach the little girl anything. That is why it is important to stress the fact that manners, learning, and respect starts in the home. This little girl will never have a different outlook on a person who is in a wheel chair because of that very statement. I see now even more that it is important to teach children about the differences of people.