Childcare could do better
Cultural appropriation is a huge problem in Australia, from misrepresenting our own culture to not respecting other’s. We promote the cultural norm, not what is practiced by a given family and at some point doing so becomes offensive. So what needs to change?
Over the festive season, we actively promote Christianity, Easter and Christmas. Come decorate this Christmas tree that we have set up in our foyer or take part in our easter artworks to decorate your room. You had better be good for Santa or the Easter Bunny, their watching. We make full Christmas dinner for the children present on Christmas Eve lunch, or a easter egg hunt on easter Thursday. Look, here’s a live feed of Santa’s elves or the easter bunny preparing for Christmas or easter. Yet in my centre alone we have jewish, islamic and atheist families who don’t celebrate Christian events, because it’s not relevant to their culture. We don’t balance the cultural norm with differing ideas such as Hanukkah or Eid, regardless of the beliefs systems actually present in our centre.
Better yet, Australia has the oldest living culture in the world, a fact I didn’t know until I was a teenager… because I was never taught. You would think that Australia, a lucky country, would value such a feat, you’d also be wrong. Just the other day, my co-workers had a debate over the correct way to display the aboriginal flag as an Australian I should know the correct answer. We have a hard enough time finding activities that ‘fit’ within our culture, let alone actives that aren’t out right offensive to the very party we’re trying to represent in our educational program. It’s all well and good to provide relevant actives but if you want exposure to a culture, you need to imbed yourself within it. As an Australian, I have not been imbedded in my own culture.
So why don’t we ask for input. Why can’t we ask the families that celebrate Eid, or Hanukkah for appropriate ways to expose children of different religions and cultural backgrounds to the customs and traditions of these families. Or ask our indigenous elders to present appropriate, not offensive actives to our children. Advise from these groups is often free and always valuable. Add these actives to our roster along side whatever the children in a given room are interested in, it’s not that hard. The problem is that we don’t do it. Why can’t there be signs of other religions in the centre’s foyer? Most Australian centre’s have educators from diverse backgrounds. If we can’t imbed all cultures and religions, then we should’t imbed any.
In light of the resent Bondi shooting which was an attack based on cultural differences and a lack of diverse thinking, shouldn’t we be pushing these ideas? Can’t we go some ways to avoid radicalisation by educating though diverse viewpoints? I think we can by building empathetic, well educated children. We won’t get empathetic, well educated children if we continue to neglect alternate or diverse viewpoints, that is viewpoints that an’t the cultural norm. Call it oversimplified, but isn’t religion just a person’s way of viewing or understanding the world around them within a belief system higher power not included. Isn’t religion and culture one in the same in many ways? Wouldn’t it be nice if we can all just get along?
Yet again, I don’t know the answers and I’m sorry for making this political. These are sensitive, important and controversial issues. I do not condone the mass killing of anyone for any reason and my condolences to the families impacted by terrorism and extremism any where and at any time. I like prevention over cure, If the education system can help prevent such ideals from spreading to this young generation, isn’t that better then locking our children up later? Babies are born innocent, adults are corrupted by life. Instead of teaching christianity, and only celebrating christian events, lets balance the festive season out. I’ve asked a lot of questions in this one, I hope you think about your answers long and hard. Happy holidays, however you celebrate and may next year be better.
Activity of the week
Leaf painting explores nature whilst creating art, this is great for a child who likes finding little critters or looking at the leaves on trees. I don’t encourage children to pick the leaves from trees but sometimes it can be ok, I do encourage you to take your child on a walk to a local park to collect fresh leaves for this activity.
You will need:
A variety of leaves or flowers
Paint
A rolling pin (that you don’t care about)
Paper
Once you’ve collected your leaves or flowers, gently brush over a thin coat of paint. Place the leaf or flower paint side down on your paper and press it down lightly using your rolling pin. lift the leaf to revel a stamp of the leaf or flower you used.