How do you celebrate?
Thursday afternoon a few parents from AJ's school called an "all site parent meeting" to discuss holidays and celebrations. Apparently as a Euro-American, she felt that her daughters culture was being ignored when "holidays and celebrations" are honored within the curriculum and/or activities. Now understand the campus community for which we belong is predominantly Black/African American, Latino, and Asian, or in other words the majority is the "minority".
The discussion eventually ran in circles. All I could think of was..."Welcome to my world". Welcom to the life and struggles that people of color face everyday!! The Site Supervisor actually saw me just twitching in my seat as the conversation rolled on, that she actually called on me to share my thoughts! I could feel my voice get shaky, as I tried really hard to suppress the actvist inside me and stay calm and reasnable without "offending" her any further.
I did share the fact that I don't believe the center has "ignored" "American" culture (yes, she used word American to define her culture) because they still have pumpkins, they still have Christmas Trees, etc. When does my son, NOT see the "American" celebrations? I shared with the group that as a Filipino it is difficult enough for me to ensure that my son learns anything of his Filipino culture! I do like the fact that this center is diverse enough that if he is to learn anything about another culture or religion that he is going to learn it from the people/families who actually practice it...and not just from the internet or book written about it.
I am not quite sure what this parent has in mind of recognizing the American celebrations... but I guess we will wait and see! How should celebrations be covered by the school?
The discussion eventually ran in circles. All I could think of was..."Welcome to my world". Welcom to the life and struggles that people of color face everyday!! The Site Supervisor actually saw me just twitching in my seat as the conversation rolled on, that she actually called on me to share my thoughts! I could feel my voice get shaky, as I tried really hard to suppress the actvist inside me and stay calm and reasnable without "offending" her any further.
I did share the fact that I don't believe the center has "ignored" "American" culture (yes, she used word American to define her culture) because they still have pumpkins, they still have Christmas Trees, etc. When does my son, NOT see the "American" celebrations? I shared with the group that as a Filipino it is difficult enough for me to ensure that my son learns anything of his Filipino culture! I do like the fact that this center is diverse enough that if he is to learn anything about another culture or religion that he is going to learn it from the people/families who actually practice it...and not just from the internet or book written about it.
I am not quite sure what this parent has in mind of recognizing the American celebrations... but I guess we will wait and see! How should celebrations be covered by the school?
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