Communication Similarities and Differences

This week I was really surprised that others viewed me as a good listener!! Personally, I believed that I listen actively, but for others to think the same was surprising and exciting. This is a big communication trait that I have been working on consistently in every aspect of my life. My co-workers always speak to my patience with customers and the great rapport that I build. 85% of my success is due to just listening. I am happy that my efforts are reflecting not only to myself but also to others. This week in communication I have learned that appearance is very essential to how people may read you. Also body language can speak volumes to character. When looking at that photo, we created assumptions about her life, occupation, personality, and even her family based on just one still moment in her life. This can become very inappropriate if our assumptions are wrong. We would hope that we are correct but there is always room for error. I hope that the impression that I give people is energetic, happy, family oriented, and an open communicator!

Communication Among Cultures

When communicating with people among various cultures we have to use various techniques that will make the process relatively easier.

1. Listen. The main thing in communication is that we should listen to each other and ensure that we have an understanding of the conversation. People among various cultures may express themselves in diverse manners, so we must ensure that we have a full understanding of the conversation which requires us to listen actively. Listen ensures that both parties have equally addressed everything that is on topic and got to hear each other out. I think about the conversations that I have on a daily basis and how I am practicing to listen more effectively.
2. Patience. Being patient, especially if there is a language barrier, is very important. You have to slow down and be sure to be attentive to what is being said. We are so quick to offer solutions or our opinion and have not a complete understanding of the entire situation. This will lead to asking question that ensure understanding and making sure you guys are on the same page.
3.Knowledge. If we know we are in an environment where we will be surrounded by other cultures, we need to absorb as much knowledge about the cultures as we can. The more we know and understand, will help us to understand their values, morals, and communication patterns. The more we learn about each other will ensure that we do not insult each other and are helping to engage in effective practices. If we are aware of the differences that are among various cultures, you will grow to respect the differences.

Week 2 Blog Post

The show that I chose to watch for this week's assignment is My 600 lb. Life. My coworkers constantly come  to work and describe the show and what it is about, but I have never had the opportunity to watch it. It came on Wednesday, and at first it was very hard to try to tie in the conversations just by watching with no sound. There seemed to be a strong sense of family on this particular episode. The lady was surrounded by children, who I initially assumed were her kids. She was receiving a lot of help from them such as day to day tasks. Bathing, cooking, even putting lotion on.

The show started showing pictures of her when she was younger so I assuming she was giving background on how she gained so much weight and what her childhood was like. She also began to travel, with a man to this office. A guy came in with a doctor's coat on and I was assuming at this point she was reaching out for help to lose weight. Watching this show was very emotional. They were speaking with those children individually and also with her. She would seem to be screaming in several points during the show, and I assumed she was venting her frustrations of that lifestyle.

Watching this show with no sound, and then going back to watch it with sound, many of my assumptions were right. Three of the children she had adopted from a cousin that could not support them, then she had two that were her own. She is a school teacher and she spoke about how difficult it is to engage with her students with that large amount of weight that she is carrying. She was going into details about how food is a comfort to her. And the segment when she was screaming at the man in the car with her, that was her brother. He drove her to Texas to see a specialist that deals with morbidly obese clients. She began to get frustrated with the process and took her angers out on him.

This experience shows me that even with no sound, communication can be a visual act. I did not get every assumption right when watching the show, but I grasped a great deal of detail just by seeing body language and tying in key pieces of information.

EDUC 6165 Week 1 Blog

The person that I am close to that has the best communication practices is my grandfather. He is the best humble spirit that I know. He does not scream, he does not throw insults, and he remains calm during any interaction. He is a great leader and exemplifies what communication should be and how disagreements should be resolved. He does not always agree with the subject matter, but comes across in a manner that expresses his opinion without offending yours. Every behavior that my grandfather exhibits in communication, I want to obtain. I want to be free-hearted and welcoming with my social skills and make people from various background comfortable when speaking with me.

Professional Hopes and Goals

I hope to make a positive impact on the lives of the children and families that I come in contact with. I aspire to make children all feel equal and that they are able to reach and goal that they set their minds and determination to. I want to be the leader that they are proud and feel comfortable to call on. Making a difference and taking time to change lives is what I strive to do each day. I want to speak out against social injustices and ensure that everyone knows that they have a voice and that their voice matters. I want to thank my peers for sharing their stories throughout the weeks and for reading and responding to mine.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The name of “your” family’s country of origin
The family that I have coming in are from Haiti.

At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

1) Have an interpreter that speaks Creole and/or French.

2)Be sure to greet with a handshake

3)Inform them about our soccer team- showing I have read about their culture and that is their primary sport

4)Be sure to ask the parents about the current educational level of the child- in Haiti, by the time that children are 7 to 8 years old, they are in the work force and not in school.

5)Ensure that the literature provided is in French or Creole until the family is accustom to English language.

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

I would think that these accommodations would be beneficial to the parents and student but as well as benefit me. Communication can be a huge barrier that prevents conversations from being held appropriate and being able to create dialogue. The use of an interpreter, if needed, and having material that the family is able to read. Speaking about sports and things that are important to their culture shows that I have done research about their traditions and am interested in welcoming them properly.

Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

I remember the first time that I watched the movie Roots. It brought about such a passion of disbelief and uncomforting emotions overwhelmed me. How my ancestors were treated as.... basically nothing. Tossed around like sheets of paper, sold off in markets as if they were horses or cattle, and forced to be held in oppression and bondage. To she how children were separated from their parents, babies died due to improper nutrition, how they were shackled and chained together to lay in their own vomit, and many died on the excursion to America. Women were raped by their masters and forced to have their children. It was just an overwhelming experience. All my life we had learned about slavery in history class. But what they don't tell you is that they are giving you the edited version. What was depicted in that film was nothing like anything I have ever read in my American History.

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

There was no feeling of equity at all. It was diminished completely. It was like they only could do what was told of them. No options, no questions, no negotiations, just rules and regulations. If you did not do what you were told either you were beat, tortured, sold off, or killed. Point blank. That made me feel a couple of ways. I was sad, mad, disgusted, even a bit bitter. To think that anyone, not just African Americans, would have to endure such treatment is a disgrace to mankind.

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

WE as a people have to change in order for incidents like this not to occur and for equity to be felt and present among all races. WE have to stand up and not ignore the microagressions of the world or just think that races are holding grudges for what they endured in the past. WE have to acknowledge the wrong, the hurt, the emotions that follow individuals and work TOGETHER to create a new atmosphere that shows more togetherness.