Acceptance
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” At the base of the statue of liberty, the phrase is displayed. It suggests that we as a nation welcome and embrace all people from all walks of life. If this is true, why is it that we have dealt with so much prejudice and discrimination in this country? Our inability to consistently show and demonstrate genuine acceptance has influenced the inability to display genuine cultural sensitivity. As a Black man I have witnessed and endured many acts of cultural insensitivity towards my race. From the names we’ve been referred by to the demeaning treatment, I have watched as society has dealt us a blow of cultural despair that has lasted hundreds of years. Now although these acts were hurtful and damaging, they do not excuse the acts of cultural insensitivity that I sometimes see displayed from blacks to other groups. I believe that there are some blacks that believe that they are justified in their insensitivity because of the level of mistreatment suffered by them. While I can understand (first hand) what that mistreatment feels like, I can’t excuse any insensitive behavior because of it. For or instance, all Middle Eastern business owners are not Arab and all Spanish speaking Americans are not Puerto Rican or Mexican. Now these examples may seem miniscule or petty however, they are just examples of how we are not making the choice to make a concerted effort to be more culturally sensitive. The way we perceive the treatment by others will often impact our ability to display sensitivity. This is why it is important for us to understand that in spite of the treatment we have received from others, it is our responsibility to work towards a level of empathy and acceptance. I realize that this is much easier said than done but remember, acceptance and understanding does not mean agreement. I have found that when we work to understand, we manage more effectively. Pain and resentment can be detrimental to our ability to display sensitivity and this is why it is important for us to move beyond the pain. Often times we depend on others to provide us the resources to get over our pain but what do you do if you never get your 40 acres and a mule? Our joy and our happiness is predicated on our ability to alter what we perceive and treat others differently. It is this journey that will allow us to establish a deeper and more effective level of sensitivity toward other cultural groups. Listen; as long as we exist we are going to be faced with the difference that others bring. Wouldn’t it be great if we would all decide to work towards achieving the happiness we say we want by transforming “us” rather than waiting on the world to give us preparations?
Contributed by Sylvester Baugh“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” At the base of the statue of liberty, the phrase is displayed. It suggests that we as a nation welcome and embrace all people from all walks of life. If this is true, why is it that we have dealt with so much prejudice and discrimination in this country? Our inability to consistently show and demonstrate genuine acceptance has influenced the inability to display genuine cultural sensitivity. As a Black man I have witnessed and endured many acts of cultural insensitivity towards my race. From the names we’ve been referred by to the demeaning treatment, I have watched as society has dealt us a blow of cultural despair that has lasted hundreds of years. Now although these acts were hurtful and damaging, they do not excuse the acts of cultural insensitivity that I sometimes see displayed from blacks to other groups. I believe that there are some blacks that believe that they are justified in their insensitivity because of the level of mistreatment suffered by them. While I can understand (first hand) what that mistreatment feels like, I can’t excuse any insensitive behavior because of it. For or instance, all Middle Eastern business owners are not Arab and all Spanish speaking Americans are not Puerto Rican or Mexican. Now these examples may seem miniscule or petty however, they are just examples of how we are not making the choice to make a concerted effort to be more culturally sensitive. The way we perceive the treatment by others will often impact our ability to display sensitivity. This is why it is important for us to understand that in spite of the treatment we have received from others, it is our responsibility to work towards a level of empathy and acceptance. I realize that this is much easier said than done but remember, acceptance and understanding does not mean agreement. I have found that when we work to understand, we manage more effectively. Pain and resentment can be detrimental to our ability to display sensitivity and this is why it is important for us to move beyond the pain. Often times we depend on others to provide us the resources to get over our pain but what do you do if you never get your 40 acres and a mule? Our joy and our happiness is predicated on our ability to alter what we perceive and treat others differently. It is this journey that will allow us to establish a deeper and more effective level of sensitivity toward other cultural groups. Listen; as long as we exist we are going to be faced with the difference that others bring. Wouldn’t it be great if we would all decide to work towards achieving the happiness we say we want by transforming “us” rather than waiting on the world to give us preparations?
Baugh Training
Very well said, Sylvester. Thanks for the contribution! Peace, Vanessa
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