I remember when I was younger we were at a park and my grandmother was talking to another parent in Spanish and the child automatically assumed I spoke Spanish and started talking to me. I told them I didn't speak it and their parent gave me a look and said you should know the language since your family is from the Dominican Republic. It made me feel embarrassed that I didn't know how to speak Spanish. I knew my grandmother didn't teach me so I wouldn't be confused in school, but for anyone to assume you should speak a language based on where your family is from is wrong. I have lots of friends who don't know how to speak their families native language.
Through the learning this week it showed me how people are so quick to judge other's without knowing them. They make assumptions based on skin color, religion, and their preferences. People need to meet and get to know other's before they pass judgments and label them.
This was very interesting to me Shakira and I have a question yo might be able to help me with. I have many different languages and cultures enter my classroom each year. While I never assume the child speaks the language of the culture I also do not assume they speak English either. I ask the family if their child understands or speaks any English. Is this a polite question or is there another way I could ask?
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