Faculty Blog - All Comments

re: We Need to Talk

MJGunderman — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:27:49 GMT

My husband and I have been discussing adoption over the past six months. We've decided that we would like to start the adoption process at the beginning of next year and after much deliberation and research we have concluded that we would be happiest with a blended family. We are looking to adopt internationally, which has raised some concerns that we feel we need to be prepared for. Our foremost concern is a fear that someone will be disrespectful and behave prejudiced towards our children. While we have come to an agreement on proper proceedings to deal with others who may take such a negative stance, including their classmates and peers, we are at a loss of what to say to our children. Each of us is, at a glance, Caucasian American, so how can we fully understand how to help guide them through this experience? I've been thinking it over and have thought of a few things that might help and I will continue my research over the next several years. However, the sad fact in today's society is that this is something that even needs to be addressed and prepared for. I was a Catholic raised by a single mother with lower middle class income. I was a happy child and well provided for, but I remember even my angst and outcast role as I lived in a neighborhood and went to a school with mostly Jewish, married families that lived with the luxury of two incomes. Am I bitter about my childhood? No. Am I bitter about those people? Hell yes! Now, as it happens, this experience is what gives me the confidence and desire for a blended family, so I can see the good, too. My motto is, if you can love ANY child and raise him/her as your own, then you have a responsibility to do so! So many children need healthy homes! So, Lord, please grant us the patience and understanding to navigate this path.

re: Do the World a Favor

pschroyer — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:26:39 GMT

Done!

Randy is very persuasive.

Off to post this on Facebook.

re: We Need to Talk

Scott — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:58:38 GMT

After reading the original Newsweek article "See Baby Discriminate" I also agree that the name of this article was intended to be an attention grabber, and Precie has confirmed, that it got the job done. Surely a baby cannot be prejudiced, but a child on the other hand, who has been influenced by prejudiced parents, family members, and/or friends, would always feel the same way. And it probably wont be, until this person grows and builds his/her own opinion that he will have his own view on the matter of prejudice. I also don't agree with sister Mary, because prejudice is to like or dislike one rather than another without good reason. Any educated individual would agree that we shouldn't do or believe in anything for no good reason. So of course we shouldn't be prejudice, it would be ignorant to succumb to this idea.

The Santa Clause we know so well as depicted in children' books is property of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and was first depicted in 1931 in magazine ads for Coca-Cola. He was created by artist Haddon Sunblom, who was hired by Coca-Cola at the time. And this Santa Clause was White, so I don't believe there should ever be a black Santa Clause in a children's book. I am a fact driven individual, who does not believe in prejudice, I don't think the Newsweek article had as much to do with prejudice as it did with ignorance. I agree with the other posters that change is necessary, and education in my opinion is the answer.

re: We Need to Talk

Student2 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:18:49 GMT

I feel that children act the way that they are brought up, and if they were brought up to be prejudiced, that's how they most likely will be. I don't think that children should be prejudiced though. I feel that small children can't have their actions held against them due to the fact that they have not yet developed into their own person yet. I feel that the parents are to blame because it’s how they teach or what they tell their children to do. I think that at a certain point children become their own person and have to question their parents ways and then that would lead them to questions their own ways.

re: We Need to Talk

Student — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:24:00 GMT

After reading the article in Newsweek entitled “ See Baby Discriminate,” by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman as well as the response to this article by Dr. Schroyer, I believe that this excerpt as well as the opening sentence: “Is Your Baby Racist?” is a great tactic used in order to grasp individuals’ attention. I too was very curious and taken aback by this question just as Dr Schroyer had also stated. But I was anxious to observe what this article would entail and how they would determine such a vigorous claim. The article goes on to explain how a test was conducted for small children where they were shown pictures of people who were an opposite race from them. It was evident that these children were undoubtedly curious and would stare at the pictures in bewilderment. This clearly did not mean that they were racist, but presents the issue that children who have no knowledge of cultures that are different from their own will react with interest. It was fascinating to note how avoiding the topic of race can unfortunately lead to unintended prejudiced acts among individuals, even children. In the article, Bronson and Merryman present an example of how a first grade teacher read a Christmas story to her students. The students were all outraged once the teacher declared that Santa Claus was indeed black. This was unimaginable to them. Such an important figure could never be black. But after coming up with their own solutions how this could be a replacement Santa, or maybe he is biracial, they felt more at ease. Race is a very important issue within our civilization. We must embrace each other and educate the younger generation that no one is superior, especially when it comes to the color of one’s skin. I agree with Dr. Schroyer when she stated how we should not be prejudiced. I believe that we should all take part in addressing this issue and spread knowledge to others so that racism is not a leading factor within our communities.

re: We Need to Talk

AMR41879 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:05:26 GMT

I don't agree with children being prejudice. I do think they believe thing based on what they see. This, in my opnion, is no different than believing in the Easter Bunny oo Tooth Fairy. I do think children start with a clean slate. However, as we get older people tend to divide things. I think it's natural and not always done in a mean or prejudice way. I'm short I was always in the first row for pictures. That doesn't make it mean. I believe things in the world need to change. However, many of us are set in our ways so change may not happen.

re: The Right to Self-Determination

nccfaculty — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:06:19 GMT

I believe that foremost we as healthcare providers should honor the wishes of the patient above the wishes of the family members, so long as those said wishes were made by an informed patient.

Medically, who is to say if we do everything possible for a patient (within the realm of the patient's wishes) what the outcome would be? Good or bad? You just don't know. As a healthcare provider, it is understood we must not be the judge, but an advocate for the patient. If this means to not perform certain procedures, so be it. If this means do all that is possible, so be it. But, we shouldn't be doing something because the family wants it and it contradicts what the patient wanted. The elderly patient's life shouldn't be valued any less than a newborn's life.

If the patient never made their wishes known, then what other course do we have other than to abide by the wishes of the next of kin? None. If medical experience tells a medical professional that you can "sing until the cows come home" and the outcome will be the same...there is no other choice but to do everything possible unless the next of kin understands the inevitable outcome. Again, who's to know.

The "who's to know" outcome is what the families hold on to when demanding all be done for their loved one, and I can't say that I wouldn't do the same. But, it's a difficult call. Being in the health field, I've seen undue suffering after the medical staff has done all they can do, and I've seen positive outcomes also......so although reform is on its way, this controversy is a long way from a resolution.

As far as Obama's healthcare reform, I have concerns about it. I believe there are some issues that need further discussion before he thinks it is the best for everyone or the majority. Our budget now and our budget after all is said is in a very scary situation. I haven't yet seen how all of the ideas for this reform are going to be paid for.

Donna L. Abraham, Nursing Student at NCC with work experience in cardiac care

re: Bored? No. Inspired? Yes.

MEverhart — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:49:42 GMT

Well said!