Anti- Bias Activities

CRACK THE EGG

"Crack the Egg" is an activity where we can learn about differences between each and every person out there. During this activity you will give the children either food coloring, or crayons to color the eggs with (depending on the age in which you are working with. For this particular blog, I will be talking about children between the ages of 3-5, so crayons or markers would work great for them.  After the children color the eggs and make their little egg people we then take a paper plate and crack the egg revealing what we have on the inside. The insides will of course, all be the same since an egg is an egg. Although they may look different on the outside, that doesn't mean that they are not the same on the inside. Teaching all of the children that although people may look different, that on the inside we are all the same. 

Children will respond to this activity in such  positive light that it will make you want to do it year after year. The children love being able to make their egg something of their own. Making it unique from every other egg that is in the room, just like themselves. Students usually (in this age range) make the egg to look like somebody that they know, (mother or father) or themselves. Which adds a personal aspect to the activity making it even better in the end. 

Two great books that I found that would really help reiterate the same but different concept that this activity has is a book called just that: Same, Same  but Different  by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw. Which is a book about two little boys who live on different sides of the world, but are pen pals. While writing to one another, they learn that they are not only similar in age and gender, but also in the activities that each other like to do. Then learning that although they may be on different sides of the world, and they may not speak the same language, or look the same, they are really the same. 

This book alone is a great opportunity to get children talking of all age groups about what they think the world is like in different countries. Do they ride busses like we do? Do they have pets? What is their favorite food? Do their parents stay home on weekend? Do they like to watch TV? Do they play sports? All questions which can be asked while reading this book and doing the activity. Leading directly into the idea that although we are different on the outside, we are really all the same. 

The second book that I would use in line with this activity would have to be, We're Different, We're the Same.  and We're all Wonderful by Bobbi Kates. Which is a books published by Sesame Street, with all of the fun loving characters that we all know. They use the characters and people from Sesame Street to talk about all of the difference that we may have in comparison to one another, but as the book goes on we realize that we are all the same. Just like with the Crack the Egg activity that I am using. The children love this book, mores than the other one, purely because they know the characters. Cartoon licensing at its finest. 

Because most of the children know the characters in this book, it makes them more open to learning about what they have to say, as opposed to the other ones. As strange as it sounds. They trust these characters and are willing to learn from them again and again. 

I am sure that by this point some of you may be wondering why I chose such a simple activity to represent bias. Well let me tell you, although the activity is simple there are so many different ways to do it. We can have different colored eggs, eggs from different species, eggs that we can eat, and eggs that we cannot eat, hard boiled eggs, and uncooked eggs. There are so many different types of ways that this "simple" project and activity can be put to work for hundred of children stretching across all age gaps. My project specifically has children drawing on their egg. Making it something of their own. Making it whatever color they want to. The children make their egg person so that no matter what egg they do have, all of the eggs will be different by the end, no two eggs will be the same, just like snowflakes, just like people. It is important that we understand differences in people and yet at the same time understand that although we may be different we are more similar than people realize. This activity will give the children a change to see us how similar by cracking open the egg to see what is on the inside, seeing that even though they are all different and unique on the outside, doesn't mean the they are on the inside. We will still want love and affection, we all still have basic human needs and human rights. We are all still human. 

According to the Roots and Wings textbook for this course, the best time to have an activity like this one would have to be during the age range of 3-4, as stated on page 17, as well as above. The reasoning for this is because "children are very aware of their skin color" and that "minority children are better at classifying faces by color." (York, pg 17) Showing that children, even this young are able to point out differences between one another, whether it be in the classroom or at home. With this, this give us our these of different but similar and an opportunity to change the way that children this young see people in the future, instead of just seeing a white face, or a yellow face, they will see a person, a human being with feelings and emotions. 

The theme of different but similar give leeway to three major goals from our Goals for Anti-Bias Curriculum, which are as follows:

1. Introduce children to other cultures 
1. This activity introduces children to other cultures by what we as teachers are able to bring to the table. Did we bring a variety of eggs? Or are we just letting the children color the eggs and make them their own? If we are doing this my way and having the children color their eggs and making them their own, then we have a variety of different looking eggs, where children will be able to share stories about what their egg lives are all about and what their eggs do when they are home, for work and if their egg people go to school. They will be able to tell us everything about their egg, which will either be a lot like them, or a completely different culture. Giving teachers the chance to talk about different cultures, as well as a students own cultural background. 
   
2. Promote Respect towards others. 

1. This activity is a great way to promote respect towards one another simply through cracking the egg. Once children see that the eggs are all the same on the inside, so begins the disunion of why it is important to be respectful to one another and why it is ever so important to be nice. There are no reasons to be mean, because whatever differences we may see in a person that we do not like don't matter since we are all the same on the inside
3. Help children live happily and cooperatively in a diverse world.
      1. "Crack The Egg" gives children  change to walk around and see which yolks came from which eggs and therefore see that, theirs isn't the only one that is similar to the rest of the class but that they are all the same. Giving the children a chance to talk amongst themselves about how they made their egg and how different their egg was from somebody else before it cracked gives them a chance to work tougher and talk about ways as to why it may be that we are all really similar on the inside. 
   
   

As far as the goals that are in our Roots and Wings book in chapter seven. This activity would fall within three of the four goals that are put on pages 138-142, and those goals are:

• Goal 2: Demonstrate comfortable, Empathetic integration with diversity among people.
• By:
• Accepting others who are different from oneself
• Appreciate characteristics of others. 
• Explore differences and similarities in a positive way.
• Recognize human similarities and differences and develop positive attitudes toward them
• Recognize that people have the same basic needs
• Recognize that people do things in different ways and have different lifestyles
•  Recognize that human differences make people unique and special
• Understand that all people deserve respect
• Show respect for all people
• Increase ones willingness to interact with diverse groups of people
• Experience human diversity in various ways. 
• Show increasing comfort with human diversity
• Goal 3: Think critically about bias.
• By:
• Recognize that some people have misconceptions about others. 
• Accept that unfair treatment because of differences is wrong
• Explore why people are discriminated against. 
• Put oneself in another persons situation
• Practice thinking before acting. 
• Recognize the concept of human rights
• Clarify ones misconceptions about human diversity
• Recognize the importance of not making judgements based on appearance. Recognize that people within a group are not all alike
• Think for oneself
• Distinguish right from wrong
• Goal 4: Stand up for oneself and others in the face of bias. 
• By:
• Recognize that people can work together to help each other
• Cooperate with others. 
• Generate solutions to problems
• Work cooperatively with others. 

All in all this is a great activity for children to learn about the differences and similarities that one may share with another through not only the "Crack the Egg" activity but also through the books. If you are wondering about the supplied that you may need for this activity here they are:

1. Eggs
2. Paper plates/Paper bowls
3. Markers/Crayons

The activity is really simple and really fun. I hope that you get a chance to create something like this and have a blast with it. If you do get a chance to do this I would love to see some pictures of those kiddos having tons of fun learning about one another and the world. 

 

York, Stacey. Roots & Wings: Affirming Culture in Early Childhood Programs. St. Paul, Minn.: Redleaf ;, 1991. Print.

Disney's 1998 Film: Mulan

MULAN

Released 1998

The films that I chose for this particular blog was Mulan, which is not only a movie that I grew up with but also a movie that has been dubbed as one of my favorites, by far. I know the songs, I know the characters, and I can say that without a doubt I know the plot, forwards and backwards. However With all of that being said I am also shocked and amazed at everything that I happened to miss between 1998 and today. 

Disney's Mulan 

Disney's Mulan 

As a child I remember watching this movie and just thinking that Mulan was the greatest person ever. She was strong, smart, witty, and caring, and even more than any of those things, she was really good at kicking butt. She fought for what she felt was right and that was something that my mother always taught me to do myself. When she didn't agree with her father leaving, she took his place, when she couldn't remember what she was suppose to say to the match maker, she wrote it on her arm. Milan was filled with flaws and I just remember thinking that it was okay, because I was too; but if she was able to be this great of a person then I would be able to be too. I would be able to have Disney make movies about the wonderful nature of my life and all of the great things that I did. I mean who wouldn't want to raise a child that stands up for what they believe is right in the world, protects their family, and accepts fault where it lies. I always thought that, it made a recipe for a pretty great child. Its seems now that, that opinion may differ more so now than ever before. 

Hua Mulan Statue in Henan Province

Although there are many different underlying aspects to this movie, most of which we will discuss, I must admit that I will be showing this to my children when they come of a certain age (which will be determined) and that I hope that they will take from it, what I took from it when I was their age, and what I continually take from it today; even after learning about the dark backing and stereotypes of it. I hope that my children will be able to see the innocence of the movie, just as it is portrayed to be. I want to make it abundantly clear that although, though this assignment I have learned a multitude of things about this film, that I still see this as a children Disney movie, and that unless adults make it into something racially charged, or about lying to ones parents or any other thing, that the children will not pick up on that and instead they will learn the good hearted story of family and love that has been told though this. I hope that they will learn of the true nature that this movie stems from and that with the true story they will learn about courage and faith, because I think that is something that generations are beginning to lack. We all are starting to have a little less faith in one another as the years go on. 

Although the real story of Hua Mulan is nothing like the Disney version, I believe that Disney does great things in trying to bring a somewhat historical aspect into the lives of children, by not only making it into something that they would love to watch, but also by not taking everything historical out of the movies that they make. Though this is considered one of Disney's darkest movies, specifically by a blogger named Minna who titles her blog "Disney’s Mulan: A Dark Film Rife with Racism, Sexism, and Questionable Morals" it by no means make this any less dark than Phcohontas, another Disney movie in which there is kidnapping, stealing and lying at its finest. Not to mention the historical background that goes into that movie. 

So, What are children REALLY seeing when they watch this movie?

Now every child will be different when it comes to this question, and I think that is something that we all need to sit back and remember. But the idea of what children are absorbing can range far and wide, it can run the gamete of everything that they have ever been taught. So let me start with what I don't think that children are taking away from Disney's Mulan. 

They are surely not taking away your classical stereotypical racism that so many movies have. I can almost promise that your child will not walk away from watching this movie and think that women are any less than men, although is was touched on in the beginning and many other times throughout the movie. They won't, mostly because the overlying story and morals of this movie out weight any small- ambiguous notion of women being less than men. Children will not walk away thinking that they need to lie to their parents as suggested in the the blog my Mianna where she states, "The overall message of the film seems to be that it’s alright to defy your parents, lie to your superiors, etc… as long as it is all for a good cause, and as long as you’re being true to what you believe to be right, which is certainly not a good message for children to be left with."  Children are not going to walk away from this movie thinking that it is okay to lie to their parents and run away to war. Children will however learn a verity of things that can have negative holdings on them for the future. 

"Fulfill your duties calmly and respectfully."
"Um. Reflect before you snack..."
"ACT, this shall bring you honor and glory."

 The discussion of men that happens in the movie is repetitive. This may lead to little girls thinking that although Mulan is a women and she is doing everything for herself, that she is still not as good as men are. Listen to the song "I'll Make a Man Out of You" which just so happens to have lyrics :"You're a spineless, pale pathetic lot- And you haven't got a clue.-Somehow I'll make a man- Out of you." Basically stating that if you are not a man then you are considered spineless, pale and pathetic. None of which people, let alone women really want to be. Men  are seen as creatures who are okay to do whatever they please with no consequences, where as women are seen as these weak and feeble creatures who are meant to entertain men and their future in-laws. 




However I thin that with all of this being said that is is one of the most important things to look at both sides of the sexism table. Although men are seen as these big strong and very helpful brutes in the beginning of this movie, it is women who are needed in the end. Although in a sexual light, it is still the act of being a women needed to defeat the Huns. 

Though I could go on and on about the minuscule things that can be considered racist and sexist and stereotypical I believe that none of it was done to be exactly that. Especially when it comes to racism and stereotypes. This is a historical story, although relayed in a Disney movie, Disney does do its best, many times, to keep it as historically accurate as possible. Meaning that women are dressed as Geishas, men are the heads of the household, only men are allowed to fight in wars, women are homemakers, etc. 

I think that it is more important to realize what children of the future will be taking away from the big story that is told thought the movie. What they are picking up as a child. Instead of what they will look back on as an adult. Children are smart and they can pick up on the littlest of things, however I think that when it comes to movies like this, they will pick up more so on the overall moral of the story and less on the sexism, racism and stereotypes. 

So with that being said I think that it is important to remember what children will walk away with from this movie. Children will walk away thinking a variety of great things that will not only help them grow as a person, individually but also help their community grow around them: 

1. Boys and girls can be equal
2. Girls do not have to have a boy to be happy
3. Standing up for what you believe in is important. 
4. Protecting family is a great virtue to have
5. Lying doesn't get you anywhere and, even though it may be hard to tell the truth, in the end when you do it is for the better. 
6. It is okay to be different. 
7. Strength and Courage are important
8. Never give up, Keep trying until you succeed. 
9. Its okay to be afraid, but you must try. 

All in all Mulan is a great movie for children of all ages, and I firmly believe that if you are watching it with a seven year old, then you are going to have more discussions about how boys and girls can be and are equal, as opposed to if you are watching it with a 16 year old, then your conversation may be more tilted towards sexism and racism. Its not the movie that the message is dependent on, it is who is watching it. 

Bibliography

"A Visit to Mulan's Hometown." A Visit to Mulan's Hometown. Accessed November 18, 2014. http://www.chinavista.com/travel/mulan/part1.html.

"Disney's Mulan: A Dark Film Rife with Racism, Sexism, and Questionable Morals." Minnas Disney Blog. Accessed November 25, 2014. http://disneyminna.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/disneys-mulan-a-dark-film-rife-with-racism-sexism-and-questionable-morals/.

"Mulan - Movie Review." Mulan Movie Review. Accessed November 27, 2014. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/mulan.

Children’s Picture Book Analysis and Evaluation

Title: Chocolate Me!
Author: Taye Diggs
Illustrated By: Shane W. Evans
Year of Publication: 2011

"Chocolate Me!" is a story about a child who is different than all of the other children that he plays with at school and at home. This story follows the struggles of a small African American child growing up and going to school with primarily Caucasian children. Throughout the story he is repeatedly tested about the way that he looks and even more specifically about what is different about him in comparison to the other children.

Are characters "outside the mainstream culture" depicted as individuals or as caricatures?
For this particular book I would have to say that there is about a half and half difference between the caricature features that are portrayed in this book and the individualistic features that are portrayed in this book. All of the characters have somewhat of a caricature style to themselves, but all of the characters also have very humanistic features which are not blown out of proportion. With the expect ion of the skin tone, the illustrator did a very good job on making sure that all of the children looked very similar, which I believe after reading this book is done for a specific reason; which is to show people that although our skin colors may be different we are all humans. 

Does their representation include significant specific cultural information? Or does it follow stereotypes?
One of my favorite parts of this book is that it follows the stereotypes that are talked about throughout the African American community. I personally relate to it because it talked about the stereotypes that I had to deal with growing up in a predominately Caucasian community.  Throughout the story there are multiple statements made by children about the main characters skin color and other racial differences. "Look where your skin begins! It's brown like dirt. Does it hurt to wash it off?" (Diggs, 2011, Pg.5). In talking about the main characters skin color these kids are tapping into the specific cultural information that African American individuals usually have a darker complexion, in comparison to other races. One of the most interesting quote that I have taken from this book would have to be when the children were talking about the main characters hair, in comparison to theirs. They talked about whether or not the main character would enjoy doing his hair, because it is so large and kinky. This, whether people know it or not, it a stereotype that is played out throughout the African American culture. The idea that somebody is less than because they do not have what is considered "good hair", although the children never say anything about whether the main characters hair is good or not, there is still that underlying notion that is happening. 

Who has the power in this story? What is the nature of their power, and how do they use it?
In the beginning of the book, all of the power is handed over to all of the Caucasian children, from the main character. He hands over the power when he says "Sitting on my stoop when I was five, not like Tommy, or Jonny or even Mark. Though, I wanted a name like theirs." (Diggs, 2011, Pg. 2) Now I may be putting quite a bit of power on this statement but when the main character says this what he is really doing is saying that these children are better than him, because he is different in comparison to all of them. However as the book proceeds, I am happy to announce (spoiler) that the power is in fact handed back over to the main character during the ending. After talking to his mother he realizes that although he may not be like the other children that are within his community, that doesn't mean that he is not just as special as they are. That doesn't mean that they are not similar. Through the conversation hat the main character has with the mother figure in the end of the book, he takes back the power that he gave away in the beginning, only to find that there is no real power in being the same, only power in being different, which the main character seems to later thrive on. Certainly unlike the beginning. 

Who has wisdom? What is the nature of their wisdom, and how do they use it?
The character that seems to be the all knowing wisdom carrying character within this book, would have to be the main characters mother. As mentioned above, there is an exchange between the mother and the main character and it seems to make things different. The entire mood of the book changes after the conversation is hand. Although this mother holds the wisdom and explains that being different is better than being the same and that one should accept their differences, she uses the metaphor of cupcakes and baking while doing it. 

Who has written this story? Who has illustrated it? Are they inside or outside the groups they are presenting? What are they in a position to know? What do they claim to know?
 Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans wrote and illustrated this story. They are both African American men currently living and have grown up in the United States. Growing up in the United States in any racial group, you will always have a different experience than the next. Throughout this book they are telling the story (which I assume is similar to their own) about a little boy who is different and because of that he is teased by the Caucasian children in his neighborhood because of it. They are claiming to know what it is like to be a young African American child living among a large population of caucaisn children and knowing what it is like when the children point out your differences, and what it feels like to be different. 

Would you recommend this book?  Why or why not?
I would have to say that I would recommend this book to any and all families that have young children, I think that this is a great way to get the conversations of race started. Whether the family is African American or Caucasian it doesn't matter. Both of these races are illustrated throughout this book and talked about, although some are talked about in more length than others. If I were to say no, I would have to say that the only reason that I would not recommend it would have to be because it may be a little bit too forward for children.