Anti-Bias Situations

A couple years ago, I treated my 4-year-old cousin to frozen yogurt. While we were sitting and eating, she said, “Why does that girl look like a boy”. Although I noticed the woman walking in, I hoped that my cousin would not notice, because she was innocent and would be of course curious. When she made the comment, I took my hand and covered her mouth out of embarrassment, so that she would not say anything else. I realized that the only reason she said the comment was because she was young, and had not been familiar with any other adults besides her immediate family.

The message that I probably sent to the child was, to not say rude and inappropriate comments out loud that might be offensive to others. I later tried to explain to her that there are a lot of people that may be different in the world, but it is not nice to judge them without getting to know them. I then explained to her that we are all human, and we are allowed to dress in ways that help to express ourselves. I found it hard to explain something like this to her because she was so young and I was not her mother.

An anti-bias educator might have responded to situation in a more calm way. They may have also been more patient and helped the child to understand the situation in not a frantic or chaotic manor. In the situation I was embarrassed and covered her mouth, but an anti-biased educator most likely would not have done that. They would of found the situation to be a learning experience. In explaining the situation in a educational and calm manor, you are creating change (the cycle of liberation) that will be long lasting. 

https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201960_04/MS_MECS/EDUC_6357_WC/readings/USW1_EDUC_6357_week05_harro.pdf