I work for a Child Care Quality Rating program. One of my colleagues and I were speaking about some of the child care centers we work with. I told her about a particular center that was awarded 3 Stars in the quality rating program. Her response was, "really!, they should be proud considering who they are". I then asked her, "who are they?" She said, "well you know, they are a black center in a bad area of town." I immediately responded, "No they should be proud, period". The location of the center or the race of the people who own the center has nothing to do with the quality of the care they provide to their children and families.
She did not say this to the child care provider but she said it to me and I felt offended for them. I have seen the work they have done to improve their quality of care and that is what I am proud of them for. My colleague was implying that it was amazing that a black center in a bad area of town could be a 3 star rated center. I felt the hurt and disappointment as a result of this microaggression and it was not even projected at me. I'm just glad the child care owner did not have to hear it.
During the week, I was at a child care center and the Director was telling me about this program she was involved in with the local school system. They send out Specialists to help with "at risk" children. However the Director stated that as she obtained more information about the program she decided not to take part in it. She said that they considered all children on Child Care Assistance subsidies as "at risk". She tried to argue that there are some very intelligent children from very good homes with involved parents who are just receiving subsidies for income purposes only. This program was implying that all lower income children were "at risk".
I was glad that the child care provider decided not to take part in the program for "at risk" children. This type of stereotyping would have harmed these children's self-image and self-esteem. As a parent I would have felt so ashamed that my child was being considered "at risk" because I was receiving some funding for their child care. I am also glad that I stood up to my colleague about stereotyping quality rated centers.
I am sure these types of situations happen all the time but this week they seemed to jump out at me. I have learned that awareness is key. This week I was very sensitive to all the "isms" in society that cause so much hurt and harm.
I too have taken great note this week over the things people say and do that are hurtful or have harmful implications toward others. I think the more people are made aware of their offensive behaviors it may call for them to think before they speak.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteIt is still amazing to me how people can be so prejudice toward one another. I really do not see how they are able to live with themselves. I am very proud that you stood up for what was right, now this colleague of your know that there are certain things you will not tolerate. From what you stated, her remark concerning the black care center was intentionally.
Ida!!
MaryJo, some people are so quick to make assumptions about others based on external factors without realizing, as in this case, they possess the same capabilities of achieving success as anyone else regardless of who they are and where they are located. I too have encounter the same type of microinsults, aimed at others, for some of the same reasons. Thank you for taking a stand and being an advocate for social justice.
ReplyDeleteGood Post MaryJo
ReplyDeleteNot many people are able to stand up for others. It takes courage. Have you found that when you take up for others outside of your race that those within your race look at you funny? Have you ever encountered being an outsider with your own culture?
I find that sometimes I have to educate others about the differences between the cultures and about not stereotyping others. It seems like prejudice and stereotypes are so heavily rooted that it comes out of a person’s mouth like it is second nature.
Thanks for sharing
Mary Jo,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you were able to stand up for what was right and stop that lady in her tracks. Like you said it doesn't matter the color of the people who run the center, all that matters is a center is being productive IN SPITE OF the challenges they have to live through. Some people are so one sided, they can not look beyond the physical appearance because all they see is color. Awesome retreat!!
Sherrell