Embracing Difference
Communication graduates embrace differences between others via active listening and positive communication. They respect diverse perspectives and the ways those perspectives influence communication. They adapt their communication in diverse cultural contexts.
S- In Fall of 2022, I was a student in my ACOM course, Listening & Civil Dialogue. Several listening practices occurred and offered me the opportunity to engage in conversations and have meaningful, civil dialogue with others who were different from me due to race, age, gender, and even political party.
T- To choose a topic from Braver Angels(an organization bringing people together with different political views) and converse with someone of a different background or generation about public policy issues. Apply concepts and listening skills learned from the course to the conversation and write up a reflection about takeaways or findings from the conversation.
A- I conducted two cross generational conversations. Both conversations were had with my grandmother who is over the age of 85. Each conversation was over an hour long and we discussed public policy issues such as healthcare and abortion rights and provided our perspectives on the issues. We also engaged in conversation about bridging the gap between young and old people and examples were provided on how that can happen.
R- Heightened my respect for people of the older generation. Improved my ability to embrace others with different views from me, and allowed me to see the importance of having the proper listening and speaking skills to navigate through sometimes difficult conversations.
S- 15 years have passed since myself and my classmates graduated from high school. We did not have a traditional 10 year class reunion because the planning ceased once personalities started to clash which led to people not willing to compromise. Due to this, the class reunion did not take place but we desperately wanted once we reached year 15.
T- To successfully plan a 15 year class reunion despite everyone’s differences. Discover a way to reach as many people as possible in order to gain as much feedback as possible. Lay out a step by step plan, and provide options for everyone and allow them space to give their own suggestions.
A- I created a Facebook group page that catered to my classmates only. I invited as many members as possible and reached out to others to help add any classmates that I may have missed. I announced the plan to have a 15th year class reunion on our Facebook page. I gained a lot of positive feedback so the step by step process began. I planned meetings and so much positive communication took place in these meetings. Three celebration options were presented and the class voted on which ideas they loved the best. From there, we created design for t-shirts and also took a vote on which shirt everyone preferred. In addition, I planned a walk through at our old high school, we went to the pep rally during the day and gathered at the football game that night followed by a fun evening at our local Mexican restaurant. The next night, we had another formal dinner and party right here in Little Rock.
R- Learned that there is beauty in our differences. We had a successful reunion! Everyone respected each other’s opinions and understood each other’s stories and because of this embrace, we were able to join together for two days and two nights and have a grand time.