Yesterday I was at the grocery store, making my biweekly grocery trip. I came across a woman that was shopping with her husband and she was on crutches. The reason that she was on crutches was because she only had one leg. There was a family of four that was down the same isle as myself and the lady that was on crutches. The littlest child, probably around five years old, pointed to the lady on crutches and loudly said: "what's wrong with that girl, she is legless." The parent must not have heard the child say it, because the same child pointed to the lady on crutches again and said: "mom and dad, that lady is legless." The mom turned to the children and said: "that's not nice, she has one leg. But she can still get around just like we can." Then the dad chimed in and said: "she is no different than any person here. She is the same as everyone, she just has one leg." After the parents said that to their child, the child could not stop staring at the lady. The lady on crutches did hear the child say that she was legless both times because she looked at the family both times, but did not say anything.
The message that was communicated from the mother and father to the child is that: even though she may look different and not have two legs like almost everyone else has, she is still the same as anyone. This is great to hear the parents say and make sure that their child does not have any stereotypes.
An educator would have said the same thing. The educator may have also gave several other examples. They would have tried to have the students act like they were in that lady's shoes. The educator would ask the student how they would feel being made fun of if they only had one leg.
Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great example and how fitting you heard this the week this blog post was due! I love how the mother replied to her children and I could not think of a response that would have been better! Great post!
Tara
Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteParents must inform children when they are wrong or say hurtful things. Children do not understand diversity; therefore, it is important for parents and teachers to teach children diversity and acceptance. Thank you for sharing this example.
I love this example! I think the dad should have pointed out that she is DIFFERENT but that's okay because no one is the same. He could have pointed out how the child was different from other people (later at home). As an educator, I would have also talked more with the child and asked how they think that person with one leg does things like we do with two. I think the whole point of anti-bias education is realizing that we are all different, and accepting it. Great post!
ReplyDeleteJessica