CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN COMMUNICATION

Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?   I do find myself communicating differently with individuals from different groups and cultures.  We all know that relationships are all different and in order to communicate with people from different cultural groups, we have to base it on understanding, trust, and shared goals. Everyone has grown up under different customs, values, and humor, but in order to build a relationship with people of different cultures, we have to be active and make a determine attempt to do so.

What ways do you communicate differently?  I sometimes have to be careful when I speak to certain individuals, depending on who they are. Whereas some people that I speak to, I can open myself up and say whatever comes to mind.  We all need to be careful when speaking to people of different cultures, because there is a language barrier. Just like being a hubcap on a wheel, we have to provide the necessary strengths in order to keep it rolling.

Share at least three strategies I could use to help myself communicate more effectively with the people or groups you have identified.

1.      Understanding their language and culture differences

2.      Being able to use non verbal  language

3.      Expand awareness of different cultures

                                   Blog Assignment: Honey Booboo

With the sound turned off:

I chose to watch the TV show: Honey Booboo.  This show is something I rarely watch, but when I do, I get my laughs.  The episode I watched was Mama June (June),Sugar Bear (Mike Thompson), Alana (Honey Booboo), Lauryn, Jessica and Anna preparing themselves for a wedding and this particular day the girls go out looking and shopping for dresses. 

What do you think the characters’ relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating? The characters’ relationships in this show are very much alike.  They love to play, eat, laugh, talk about each other and have fun with their mom. After entering the boutique, Mama June watched all her girls try all these different styles of dresses on and afterwards they watched her and became emotional when she walked out with her gown on.

What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing? I feel as though Mama June and Sugar Bear is very much in love.  Their children want to see them get married and be happy, as well as become a family.  It seems as though everyone is on one agreement and wants to make it come true.

With the sound turned on:

What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed? I assumed that Mama June and Sugar Bear was about to tie the knot and live happy ever after.  Based on their communication, I observed that love was in the air and the children were ready for a stepdad.  I enjoy looking at this show and eating popcorn, it really makes you laugh and snort sometimes like them.

Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well? There’s a possibility; I feel the more you are familiarize with a show, the more comfortable you are in watching it.  Honey Booboo is a comedy show that is portrayed in real life, it’s amazing how some families live and act this way.

**write about my experience in the blog, what I have learned about communication from this experience and insights or “aha” moments I believe would be helpful to my colleagues. It’s very different when you are watching a television show off than watching one on.  Sometime things are being said and acted out that is not what we think is said or acted.  You have to sit back and wonder what’s really going on and realize that everyone has their own different communication style.

Competent Communication

Think of someone (family member, celebrity, or friend) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context.  What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective?

The one person I could think of who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context would be my 5^th grade teacher, Mrs. Lewis.  She was an excellent teacher and also a great role model for me.  When I entered into junior high school, Mrs. Lewis made sure her class met their expectations.  Mrs. Lewis was more like a second mother to me and showed that nurturing and kind relationship towards her students.  She always carried the most beautiful smile and I was able to open up to her about many issues.

Over the years, as Mrs. Lewis and I became older, we also became closer.  I would sometimes go by her classroom after school and listen to some of the daily stories about her little ones.  She was the chief of her classroom and I admired her for that.  I can truly say that she played a part of where I’m at today and also assisted me to become a successful leader in life.  I am so thankful I was able to gain her trust; something I would pass on to my kids.

Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why

I consider myself as an honest, amusing, and open; love to give advice, and a great listener.  I love to sat back and listen to other people problems and give my true reply.  I know you have to respect other individuals view points and sometimes we don’t be on the same page.  Mrs. Lewis was a magnificent woman that had her own ideas about what she expected out of a child.  That’s why it is so important to be a great listener and understand what a child is saying, once you grasp the situation, the individual will suddenly open up to you.  

                       Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have when working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds would be having the power set values and principles that recognize diversity and become aware of cultural bias. 

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to be a loving and compassionate educator for my children and their family.  I want to be able to increase their academic achievement and hope for high expectations for their future.

I would like to say this has been an overwhelming learning experience for me these pass seven weeks.  I have met some caring and considerate classmates who I have enjoyed throughout this course, through your posts and blogs.  I would like to thank my peers and Professor for all of their support in sharing their personal reflections and wish you all LUCK!

Welcoming Families From Around the World

                                        

     

The new child and family I’m going to be working with as a social service therapist is from the country of Tonga.  Even though I know nothing about this country, Tonga; I’m ready to prepare this family with five things that will help them be culturally responsive in their new environment.

1.   I would do some research and give the family information about local translators, medical care, and education in the area

2.   I would learn some basic words that the family use; such as Hello and How may I help you

3.   Learn some of their views about education, that will give me a better sense on how she was treated

4.   Show large labels in the classroom about Tonga’s cultures (food, pictures, people, costumes, and music) and talk about it

5.   Also, do research about their dominant culture, in reference to their race, religion, language, and family structure

I want to make this family feel welcome and hopefully the information will benefit me and the child about her background culture.   By helping me relate more to them on an individual basis, I also want to be a dedicated and supportive therapist they can rely on. Lastly, I want to give their child the best I can give in learning about a new culture.   

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

  

One very unpleasant memory I have is of an incident where I experienced bias, prejudice, and oppression on a hot day while living in the South.   On this particular day, my boyfriend, who is biracial, and I were walking together in a shopping mall, along with my son.  Two little old ladies were standing at the entrance talking and when we walked pass by, one said, “This is unbelievable, everyone should stay with their own color”. 

Without hesitating, we stopped in our tracks and confronted these ladies.  I wanted to know why she said, “I just think it’s just a shame and whites should stay with whites, and blacks should be with blacks”.  One then looked at my boyfriend and said, “You look white and should be with a white girl”.

My boyfriend said, “Well, my mom is black, but my dad is white, so now who should I be with?”  We walked away and left them standing there, with their mouths hanging open.  Although I looked calm, I was simmering on the inside, but I was glad I confronted these two black women.  People are still prejudice about color and their behaviors will change when they want it to change.  We may never be accepted by others, but then we don’t eat or sleep with them, nor do we depend on them. 

Race relations have really increased in this generation and it’s our country that needs to become more accepting of the different cultures.  Individuals that date outside their race still face challenges from bigoted individuals.  Racism exists and it really doesn’t matter where you live, although I have found racism in practiced more openly in the South, where in the North, it is hidden. 

It is my decision to date someone I fell in love with and he just happens to be biracial and together we can overcome any obstacles that come our way. After growing up and learning and knowing better, I have truly begin to accept the way people look at each other.  This is not going to leave and hopefully one day it will get better for future generations, who are more open-minded and tolerant.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

        Racial microaggressions create an unfriendly and invalidating environment for people of color saps their spiritual and psychic energies, and their cumulative nature can result in depression, frustration, anger, rage, loss of self esteem, anxiety, etc.  This microaggression can also occur nonverbally, and their message conveyed to persons of color is that their contribution is irrelevant.

        I, along with my son traveled to Washington DC some time ago for his internship, on a small airliner.  During this time, the plane was not full and there were plenty of empty seats.  One of the flight attendants, which were white, came over and told us we could sit anywhere because the plane was not going to be full.  So, me and my son decided to sit on the front row, we had more leg room and felt very comfortable for the both of us.  All of a sudden, the flight attendant stated if we could go a couple seats back and let a couple sit on the front row. 

        A course this couple was white and wore business type style clothing and appeared to me to look wealthy. We both looked at each other with a negative reaction and asked the question “Are we being singled out because we are black?”  I wish you could have seen the look on her face, with such a surprise.  I felt resentment and angry at the same time, because we felt like we was treated like second class citizens…mainly because of our skin color.  The flight attendant had a reason for every allegation I made towards her.  I was so mad at this lady, and wanted to tell her a piece of my mind; this really left a bad taste in my mouth.  Most white Americans see themselves as decent and good human beings some just possess a biased racial attitude and engage in discriminatory behaviors.