Wood, Westwood, and Thompson's Introduction Youth Work

Quote:

"Youth workers are primarily educators who engage with young people in diverse settings, using different methods and activities to stimulate informal education and learning. They build and sustain open and trusting relationships in order to create the conditions for learning and wherever possible, young people will choose to engage in the learning relationship."

2 New Ideas:

-  This approach relies on STARTING where are young people are at and not where we "assume" they should be. We need to meet the young person where they already are before we can push them for greatness and begin to teach them how to become their own person, grow their own values and etc. 

- Which then ties in to taking a young person's personal and social development into consideration before anything else. We need to get some background information, learn about their home life, how they grew up or are growing up, who's involved, and then create some type of relationship or bond to help them feel safe enough to help them begin to open up and realize their full potential. 

3 Key Vocabulary Words:

Sustain: to support or maintain, especially over a long period of time

Informal education: unplanned and spontaneous learning of behaviors, norms, and values typically occurring outside of formal (school) setting

Learning relationship: the positive connections between youth, adults, and peers that foster positive social interactions and help to establish a nurturing environment 

Connection:

I came across this TikTok that I found to be entertaining more so than informational today. It's just a group of youth workers that captioned a video of them running out of their place of work with all types of supplies and additional support for when one of their youths reaches out and says, "Hey can you meet." It just made me laugh and think of how this would be me and my fellow classmates if we were in the field and heard one of our youths needed us as well. As a younger person seeing people show up and care especially when you're not used to the additional love and support can mean so much. 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8MT6va6/

Belonging

    My first time ever feeling like I belonged somewhere is when I first moved to Rhode Island from Connecticut. I moved here coming into my fifth-grade year, and I was super nervous starting a new school at an older age, as there were friendships that have already been bonded over years and I would be brand new. Coming from where I was from in Connecticut it wasn't the most diverse neighborhood, and you didn't see teachers or students that looked like me. Most having blonde hair and blue eyes, and parents who owned houses and businesses. But when I started here in Rhode Island I was blown away by the number of students and faculty that looked like me, and I finally felt as if I didn't stand out. My curl pattern would blend in line with my classmates, no one would touch my braids and ask questions, it was truly a different experience. Then as I met friends and grew bonds with them, I realized that they to have a single parent and live in apartments as well. For the first time in years, I couldn't shut up about school and how excited I was to not have to feel like I need to do certain things to fit in or not stick out, in ways people would start to ask questions. Feeling like this a huge reason to why I feel like diversity is something we need to take into consideration more and really push to become the norm.

    For my connections piece I found a quick clip from Brene Brown on the opposite of belonging is fitting in. She goes on to explain that fitting in is assessing a group of people and thinking: Who do I need to be? What do I need to say? What do I need to wear? How do I have to act? and CHANGING who you are. I feel this hit right on the head with Breathe from In the Heights, as we know that Nina went off to Stamford and came back as she struggled to try to fit in and be great there. In the musical we see her try to change and fit in, but it just didn't suit her well. From this I just remember ever day to strive to be your authentic self, always. Something one of my classmates reminded me about myself this semester. ❤

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8M37dAv/

My Core Values

    I could write a book about my core values but to keep it brief I'll only do 5. They are pride, self-discipline, family, loyalty, and inclusion. Pride is important to me because I feel that it's very important to take pride in who you are every day and be your best self. It helps keep a positive vibe within that I feel everyone needs. Self-discipline is the ability to push yourself forward, stay motivated, and take action, regardless of how you're feeling, physically, or emotionally. I do this every day as a parent for the last three years and it has really help shape who've I've become. From endless nights studying to graduating, working multiple jobs to keep us afloat, all while balancing what I'm going through emotionally at home and at work. I take pride in it as my son has pushed me to limits, I didn't know I could blow past in this life. Family is very important to me because they helped mold me into the person I am, having people in my corner that love me unconditionally. I wouldn't be where I am without my village pushing me to preserve through everything life throws at me, and that's something I'm grateful for. Loyalty because it's important to be reliable and dependable, within friendships, relationships, and even in our communities. Lastly, inclusion because we need to accept all members of society for who they are, despite disabilities, the color of their skin and etc. As someone who works with kids with autism, we push for inclusion every single day to ensure they can grow into their full potential.

    Integrity, confidence, and being a leader. Three things rapper Nipsey Hussle said that he said that says to his daughter every day, very important core values to have and be taught at a young age. I attached a TikTok video of one of his interviews before he passed in 2019. I connected with this because it reminded me of things my dad would say to my siblings and I daily. I lost him in 2017, and I felt like he was a huge foundation to me and my siblings' values and how we carry ourselves. 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR7Nf7yX/

Mellody Hobson: Color Blind or Color Brave?

     I actually enjoyed watching Mellody Hobson's TedTalk, it was informative and honest. She starts off by telling a story about going to a party at 7 years old and being the only black child in attendance and the first thing her mother asked her when she returned was "How did they treat you?" Obviously at that age she didn't understand the question, but this was her mother telling her firsthand that "They will not always treat you well." Another way to me of her letting her know that people may treat you differently based on the color of your skin. I wasn't shocked by this because I've seen my friends treated differently all the time growing up when we would breach out into other neighborhoods, especially when we would go to the local corner stores. They would be told to drop their bags in the front but wouldn't declare the same when it came to me. It's obvious I'm of lighter complexion than my friends and the owner assumed they would steal. One of the many encounters that comes to mind while I think about racism growing up. This continues in the video as she brings up how race makes people uncomfortable when it shouldn't be, how it should be a conversation we should be willing to have, and she even dives into diversity in the corporate world. I feel like this tied into our Identity Maps because it raised that question, should we incorporate our race and ethnicities be words we use to help identify us? I think I'm going to keep mine as Mellody mentions we should be open and having these diverse conversations with one another as we can use them as a learning experience every time. By me keeping them, it gives time to for everyone else to see them and ask questions if they're curious. I believe you've assigned this TedTalk after the Identity Maps to help us try to see each other for who we are and help us raise awareness about who we are and where we come from as we can all learn from one another.

    For my connection piece today, I decided to include this quick TikTok I just so happened to scroll by after watching the TedTalk and taking my phone break. Watch it and give me your take because I honestly agree with what she's saying (let's get deep in person) but I'm curious to hear your opinions since were on the topic of racism. 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8jkgTLq/

Identity Map

 

This Book Is Anti-Racist

    This Book Is Anti-Racist by Jewell and Durand was a quick read but very eye opening. It made me feel hurt as if I was still a preteen trying to find myself again. As a young woman with a mixed-race background, I've always struggled with the label's society gives us, I cannot just be labeled one thing. For instance, it's hard to label me as a "white" or "black" girl. This was a label I felt was constantly thrown at me and I never had an answer. My complexion is very light, but my curls and distinct facial features can give away that I am clearly mixed. I struggled a lot trying to find out which category best suited me. Until I went to a Girl Empowerment group growing up where it was clearly explained to me that I am Kenyata, there is no label of that sort that can define me. I am Filipina, Irish, African American, and Native American (Cherokee). I am so much more and give a list of characteristics to help identify me. All of those feelings came flowing back in as I continued to read because the story explains the difference of ' the dominant culture' and the 'subordinate culture' The dominant culture being what's normal and the subordinate being everything that makes you unique, and you who are. That ties right into the identity map assignment and why it's actually so important.

    For my connection I inserted a TikTok of a user explaining what Zendaya a black celebrity was going through as she discussed colorism in the entertainment business. Though every term she used I didn't agree with her overall point was the struggles of being lighter complexion in the black community and the criticism you get from each side when that shouldn't matter. Zendaya is of lighter complexion like me and is clearly mixed race, so I believe this was great representation of it happening in the entertainment industry, as well as young girls every day. I also feel in order to help put an end to colorism we all must be anti-racist. 

TikTok

    

Who's Kenyata?

Kenyata or Ken here! ❤ I'm 24 years old
and a transfer student from CCRI. I currently
work as a Behavior Technician at Pathways
Strategic Teaching Center, and I love what I do! ♐

This is my son Ka'mahri, he's 3 years old
and he's the sweetest & coolest little boy I know!
He loves cars, sports, and the Super Mario Brothers!👾

This summer we spent time together going out to
zoo + Food Truck Fridays, visiting pop-pop's gravesite, 
exploring our community and just enjoying
each other's company! 🌞

Our biggest accomplishments over these last few months
were moving into our new apartment and buying
a Jeep Liberty! It's been just us, so it feels great! 👌

Outside of being a full-time mom, worker, and student 
I collect sneakers and I started with my dad back in 7th grade.
I lost him in 2017 and now I do it as a sense of comfort!
Fun Fact: I have over 139 pairs of sneakers alone! 💫