Developmental Asset Message of the Week - Cultural Competency

48% OF MIDDLETOWN YOUTH REPORT THAT THEY HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF AND COMFORT WITH PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CULTURAL/RACIAL/ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS

We are living in an increasingly diverse world, which is a wonderful gift. Our children attend schools with others who are much different than they are. The challenge for parents is ensuring that children learn to accept and respect differences, thus making them more productive adults. But, where do we start? Children don't come with instructions, but they do come with open minds. Much of what they learn about respecting differences comes from their parents and other adults around them.

Consider the following suggestions:

Start with us. Children listen to what we say and watch what we do. So as adults, we must deal with our own diversity deficits, so that we can lead by not just saying but also by doing.

Get out of our comfort zone. Teaching our children to accept differences may require that we seek out cultural activities that are out of our community and explore the value in diversity. It is not enough to simply visit cultural events and eat ethnic foods. Instead, we must make a deliberate effort to get out of the familiar and show our children we mean it. Accepting differences should be how we live our lives. We should make an effort to surround ourselves with those who are different from us.

Listen and respond. When children ask about differences, start by listening to the question they are asking and the language they are using. If in asking questions about differences they are using hurtful or stereotypical language, explore with them why such language is hurtful. Explain in an age-appropriate manner why stereotypes don't tell the whole story

With all that said, this is the perfect month to start teaching youth how to embrace diversity.  February is Black History Month; a time set aside for the remembrance of the struggles undertaken and to celebrate the contributions and achievements of African-Americans throughout history.  Regardless of our ethnic or cultural background, we can all celebrate the achievements laid out by those who came before us, those who helped build this great country.

The story behind Black History Month begins with Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a historian who is frequently called the "Father of Black History." He created the Association for African-American Life and History (ASALH). Later, in 1926, Dr. Woodson and the ASALH created Black History Month.

If you are looking for some events going on in Connecticut to celebrate Black History Month, check out this link.

The following is a thought on this issue from one local teenager: 

"It is important to have cultural competence because you can hurt a person’s feelings when you make fun of or bully them about the way the look or act because they have a different culture. A person’s culture is where he is from, his families foods, language, traditions and religion. You should not be prejudice of different cultures, and instead of judging people because you are unfamiliar with some things they may do, you should learn about their culture."----Woodrow Wilson Middle School 7th Grader 

For more information on Developmental Assets, please visit www.search-institute.org and also don't forget to go to www.assetpromise.org to make a promise to support Middletown youth!