One of the most difficult things about living in a nation as
diverse as the United States
for many people is learning to empathetically look at and understand the
stories of those different from themsevles. As I discovered by conversing with
other students at the anti-racism training workshop held with Regina Shands
Stoltzfus, inherent racism and exclusive stereotypes can arise from the way we
grow up and the experiences we have as both children and adults if we only look
at one story of a group of people that are different from ourselves. In
reflecting on the round table discussions I had, I was not only able to hear
and appreciate the stories of others, but was given the opportunity to look
back at my own background and the way I have been influenced through my family
and its values. Regina
did a very good job of showing how what we learn from family and culture can
also be influenced by societal structures, such as government policies. Historically,
the government has made certain programs more difficult for people of color to
attain, which is something I have never been exposed to as a Caucasian. However,
through learning that hierarchies continue to exist, I am aware that they can be
exclusive in a subtle manner.
My own
racial identity is not something that I have talked much about before coming to
college. Nevertheless, discussing the privilege I sometimes have because of my
skin color is important, as it is critical to know how these privileges can
affect my standing in a diverse society. I believe that it is also important to
understand how racism, although it is not an overt problem in the United States
anymore, still affects how people are treated by the national government and
its policies. Along with this, I believe that learning how bigger systems
affect personal identity is also very important, as different individuals can feel
the influence of government policies in various ways, depending on what they
were taught about issues like race growing up.
In looking
at how my own prejudices can affect my role as an educator, I believe that it
is important to understand that my opinion and inherent biases can translate to
how I look at students different from myself in the classroom. However, I
believe that this recognition is essential because it shows that by recognizing
my own limitations, I have the ability to teach my students that differences
exist and that they make individuals unique. By stressing the beauty of our
differences and allowing students to acknowledge the cultural and societal
influences that have affected them, I as a teacher will be able to introduce
them to an open mindset that recognizes and embraces diversity.
