Discussion 2

EXAMPLE

1. What is a stereotype, prejudice, or act of discrimination you learned in your youth? Did this view change as you grew older? Why?

In my youth, I believed money could buy happiness. The people with the most money were the happiest people in the world and if I wanted to be happy, I needed to be rich. My view did change and I learned happiness comes from inside, not what we have on the outside. Material things really do not matter. Material Girl was a popular song and I think shows the mental state all people strived for. As I became older, I found my happiness came from the little things. The smile of my kids, the excitement of finding something new on a trail, doing things as a family, spending time with ones I love all brought me much joy and happiness and most of the time did not cost anything.

2. Describe an incident regarding race relations that you recall from your work or school setting. How did you respond? What would you do differently if a similar event occurred now? Why?

When I was in Elementary School, a little black child came to my class. His family had just moved into the area. He had a hard time making friends because of his race. Looking back, I wish I had made the effort to be his friend. He might have had an amazing personality but I never knew because I did not give him the chance. Now, I would introduce myself and make him feel like his color did not matter. I would make him feel like we were the same and both humans.

3. Describe a time you saw an act of prejudice and did something about it. How would you handle things differently now? Why?

There was a high school student that came from a bad family in town. His mom was an alcoholic and his dad was not in the picture. A lot of students and teachers shunned him because he was from the wrong family. I invited him to work in my classroom as my teacher's aide. His confidence grew and he became more concerned about his appearance. I helped him apply to colleges and look for scholarships. I attended his graduation and he brought me a rose to hand out at graduation. He is now in college and doing very well.

4. Describe a time you saw an act of prejudice and did nothing about it. How would you handle things differently now? Why?

I have a hard time doing nothing when I see something is wrong. I try hard to make sure to straighten students out if I see them being prejudice against someone. When I first started teaching it was hard for me to get on to the students that were not in my grade level. Many times I would see the older students being rude to other students. They might make fun of them or put them down. Instead of stepping up, I would go to their teacher. I should have set them straight right then and there. Since then, I do not have that issue. My heart is too big and hurts when I see someone hurting. I try to catch any situation I see and ask the student how they would feel if someone did that to them.