COMM320
Your Name (First M. Last)
School or Institution Name (University at Place or Town, State)
COMM320
Discussion 1
My national identity is African. My ethnic origin is Black. The origin of African identity is traced back to the migration of Africans forcibly carried by the slave ships to Atlantic. African descent has a long history of having a question mark on identity due to continuous exposure to slavery that questions Black existence. (Orbe, 2013). In accordance with paleoanthropology, the origin of African humans is also called "Out of Africa" theory, which is proceeded by the recent African origin model. It exhibits the dispersals of Africans in the beginning as early as about 270,000 years ago. My culture is manifold because it comprises of the mixture of other countries comprising of tribes. It would not be wrong to say that my culture is also called African Diaspora that is expressed in crafts, religion, clothing arts, folklore, music, and language. My culture is much adaptive to other culture because of a major population belongs to a single ethnicity but cohering different continents and countries in the world. The expression of art and crafts found in the form of brass and leather works, along with artistic work on pottery, religious headgear and dresses, sculpture, ceremonial and painting. The folklore of African culture is accompanied by “Ugai Itha” that is meant for the attention of listeners found in traditional stories. The traditional African clothes are made with shemma that sometimes is added to shiny thread in order to make fancy dresses. It would not be wrong to say my culture has a long history of formation and distortion, but we still stand as a nation, does not matter how much segregated we are.
Reference
Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2013). Interracial communication: Theory into practice. Sage Publications.
Discussion 2
What do you think are the most important barriers that inhibit communication between people of different genders?
There are numbers of barriers that inhibit communication between genders, taking into account that the fist barrier is associated with a relationship orientation. Women work with relationship collaboration, they aim at developing a relationship first and then work, but men usually get frustrated by this and create barriers. I still remember when I was a child, my fellow's friends (girls) played with collaboration such as a teacher or fairy tales, but boys and I used to prefer playing thief and police. Moreover, women are process-oriented decision-makers; they prefer gathering information in contrast to men who follow a product-driven communication style. Women seek advice, but men try their intelligence, and this is another barrier to communication. My mother takes all decision after asking everyone around or related but my father don’t bother to ask anyone.
How would you recommend overcoming those barriers?
Barriers related to relationship orientation can be overcome by creating awareness about gender biases and gender discrimination because it will help both the genders to overcome their stereotypes that they have associated with another gender. Moreover, gender diversity could be also one of the initiatives to overcome gender barriers.
What role does sexist language play?
Sexist language creates and empowers discrimination. It highlights gender disputes and encourages discrimination. Moreover, sexist language also discourages the opposite gender and creates hindrances and inefficient working. A common example is the treatment of a girl who is willing to do business.
Reference
Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2013). Interracial communication: Theory into practice. Sage Publications.
Discussion 3
Select one form of nonverbal communication that differs between two groups of people. Tell us who the two groups are and how each group uses that form of nonverbal communication.
Smile is one of the forms of nonverbal communication that is very common. However, the understanding of this communication sign varies with culture. In American culture, a smile is termed as a casual sign. (Orbe, 2013).Americans smile at anyone, there are no specific connotations attached to smile, but in Russia, there is a different meaning attached with the facial expressions or smiling. Russians find it impolite and sometimes strange when someone smiles at them.
What kind of confusion or problems might these nonverbal differences create?
These nonverbal differences can result in misunderstanding because the change of meaning will automatically inform misguided and ambiguous expectations. Moreover, they can also cause embarrassment or lead to a conflict between the two different groups. There are numbers of examples in which misunderstanding of any nonverbal signs has caused great problems.
What would you recommend to prevent such mistakes?
It is very tricky and equally easy to prevent these mistakes that are caused by a difference in nonverbal communication. One should try to keep his/her conduct highly official and formal while communicating with others because verbal communication is enough to convey the required information. Moreover, there should be complete acceptance on the side of hearer because it is not possible to learn all difference of nonverbal communication between different cultures.
If possible, select an example you have experienced yourself. Do not use examples from the textbooks.
Once I get to know an Asian girl, she was one of my neighbors. We usually don't meet because of a busy routine. Once she invited me to her birthday party and I was about to shake hand with her so as to wish birthday when one of the other friends interrupted by saying "Your mum wants to see you” and told me that Asian’s find it offensive and violation of their privacy when someone touches them.
Reference
Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2013). Interracial communication: Theory into practice. Sage Publications.
Discussion 4
How would you describe your cultural (both intercultural and complementary) relationships? Like any West African cultures.
Intercultural Relationships
Intercultural relationships are those that are built with members of the same culture. In West Africa, there is a great emphasis on getting in a relationship with the members of African ethnicity because it is found more compatible and long lasting. There are numbers of families in which people are restricted to the same ethnicity, and they would never accept an individual of opposite ethnicity. (Orbe, 2013).
Complementary relationship
Complementary relationships are defined as relationships that are formed between the groups of two opposite ethnicity. In West Africa, there is less emphasis on complementary relationships, taking into account the flux of non-acceptance that was much dominant in the past. Moreover, there is complex thinking that makes it hard for complementary relationships to work.
What works well, and what challenges do you experience?
I have realized that there is a massive and evident shift in the trends over the course of years because I am going well with both intercultural and complementary relationship. I find myself much acceptable in all the paradigms of life.
However, there are a few challenges that I still face, mostly when there is some kind of competition in life. Although there is equality, the stance of preference is still biased where white identities are even more important than Black.
Communication is also one of the significant barriers that affect the complementary relationship, especially in areas of work, such as healthcare sectors and other organizations.
When there are challenges, what strategies do you use to help you overcome these barriers?
There are numbers of strategies that can be used for the mitigation or overcoming cultural barriers
Appreciation of culture
It is one of the universal strategies that can be used for overcoming barriers because every culture would be accepted without any argument.
Negotiation of cultures
Negotiation of cultures also plays a significant role in overcoming both communication documentary culture barriers, taking into account that it will create a homogenous culture where every identity would be treated with equality, leading to mutual understanding.
Reference
Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2013). Interracial communication: Theory into practice. Sage Publications.
Discussion 5
What do you think are the most important barriers that inhibit communication between people of different ethnicities or nationalities? How would you recommend overcoming those barriers?
There are a number of barriers that can inhibit communication across different cultures, ranging from race, and nationality to stereotypes and etiquettes. Language serves as one of the most significant barrier because lack of comprehension creates hindrance in understanding. Signs and symbols are also barriers that can inhibit communication. (Orbe, 2013).Behaviors and beliefs are also significant barriers that can inhibit communication across different cultures.
Overcoming barriers
Three is no systematic approach that can help to overcome cultural barriers. However, it crosses cultural understanding, teaching, and acceptance as the only strategy that can be used to overcome cross-cultural barriers.
What can be done to make friendships or relationships across ethnic or national barriers successful?
Friendship or relationships across ethnic or national barriers can be made successful by developing a cultural appreciation and making people respect other cultures. It will not only create mutual understanding, but it will also promote friendships and relationships.
Please share your specific experiences communicating across ethnic or national barriers.
I have experienced that there is a difference in the language speaking and understanding between Africans and American, and it creates a lot of barriers and complications. Once I went to a hospital and found an African couple who was unable to convey the disease and what they are feeling to the nurse because of the ethnic and national barrier. I realized that there is a dire need to increase cultural diversity so as to maintain life spectra in a homogenous manner.
Reference
Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2013). Interracial communication: Theory into practice. Sage Publications.
Discussion 6
What do you think are the most important barriers inhibiting communication between people of different ages?
There are certain significant barriers when one is engaged in communication with the people of older age. Some specific barriers are vocabulary and other linguistic differences, along with the changes in sociocultural context. Usually personal and professional experiences also create a difference that act as a barrier to communication. The community expectations also play a major role in determining communication barriers.
How would you recommend overcoming those barriers?
These barriers can be overcome by creating clear expectations in terms of language that include being open towards other, attempts to understand and comprehend what is being said and creating a level of acceptance. Moreover, sometimes staying silent is another strategy that can help to overcome the barriers in communication because elders find it offensive when someone argues. Similarly, arguing too much is also fatal so one should be very appreciative and agreeable while talking to someone who is elder.
Please share your specific experiences communicating with younger and older individuals
While communicating with elders, I found myself to be very formal and more conserve because of the age gap and the professional credit that positions them at higher level. Usually, there are more chances of being les comprehensible because of the experience of the elders and more education. Whenever I talk to my elders, I incline myself more towards listening and less towards speaking because it is usually hard to understand what is being said. On the other hand, the situation is totally opposite in terms of youngsters because they don’t have the same understanding level. In fact, children want attention, they mispronounce words and they require active participation by the listener.
Reference
Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2013). Interracial communication: Theory into practice. Sage Publications.
Discussion 7
What do you think are the most important barriers that inhibit communication between people with different levels of physical ability? How would you recommend overcoming those barriers?
The scenario of discussing communication barriers in people with physical disabilities is worse. It is important to note that physically disable people view disability as also one of the significant barriers however, stereotypes, stigma, and prejudice are the prominent barriers of communication in physically disabled people. There are certain policy barriers as well, such as lack of awareness of law and activities that can support disable people in communication. Side by side, social barriers are also significant such as violence, inferiority complex and lack of education that affects communication.
These barriers can be mitigated by incorporating certain initiatives that can allow disabled people to speak with freedom and help them feel comfortable. Moreover, mitigating communication barriers, such as treating disable people with equality, can also reduce communication barriers. Availability of communication tools and aids along with adequate understanding can help disabled people overcome communication barriers.
Please share your specific experiences communicating with people of differing physical ability.
Once I got a chance to speak with a girl who was suffering from paralysis. I was well aware of the fact that the physical disability has made her a victim of inferiority complex so I tried to confine my conversation to that topic that could not remind her of the tragic incident that caused paralysis. Moreover, I used communication aids, such as poster paintings and signs to facilitate communication. I make her feel that she is just differently abled by appreciating her talents. Even I tried my best to appreciate her contribution to life because she was seeking education and it is an aspiration for illiterate and others who are also suffering from disabilities, but they have taken themselves as completely reluctant to everything.
Reference
Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2013). Interracial communication: Theory into practice. Sage Publications.
Discussion 8
In "Reporting by women declining at Networks," it is found that the reporting by women who provide coverage for the top 20 news outlets is decreasing as compared to the men ratio. Three major recommendation to increase diversity includes, addressing the unconscious biases that are not apparent, but they are major derivatives behind decisions. Hiring more women will also contribute to increasing diversity in media taking into account the flexibility of working plans because there are a number of women who have the potential to work, but they refrain because of the lack of flexible routine.
In the article, "Media Justice, a women's issue," is a platform that asserts that there could be no media justice without women and the platform, “Women in media and Mews” acts as a channel that can encourage feminist voice as a major determinant in reforming media. There are three major recommendations that can play a central role in promoting diversity in media, such as media equality. It asserts that everyone is equal, and men are not superior to women. Introducing more options for inclusion will also add to diversity in media where more women will be given a chance to come ahead. Giving options for more exposure will also add to media diversity for women.
In the article, "Essence of excellence," reflects what matters in media is excellence, and it is a stance that can be empowered by driving oneself. The articles covers different complications and determinants that create hurdles in the participation of women in media such as, race and ethnicity. There are three major recommendations that can be used to add diversity in media such as, addressing the gender issues on board. It refers to the initiation of speaking platforms and discussions that can labor the significance of gender equality. Moreover, suppression of treating women as "Others" is also a major recommendation because every perception starts from media, and it will allow the general public to address women equal to men. The negation of “Look who’s here” and appreciation of efforts is another recommendation that can promote women diversity in media. (Woods, 2001).
References
Reporting by Women Declining at Networks (Links to an external site.) (n.d.). The Root. Retrieved from http://journalisms.theroot.com/reporting-by-women-declining-at-networks-1793592906
Women in Media and News (Links to an external site.). (n.d.). National Organization for Women. Retrieved from http://wimnonline.org/reform/media_justice.html
Woods, K. (2001). The essence of excellence: Covering race and ethnicity (and doing it better) (Links to an external site.). The Poynter Institute. Retrieved from http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=5048
Discussion 9
•How do you think your chosen metaphor affects the conflict?
Goes off-target is a connotation of inability to achieve the trademark or hallmark. It is more of a reflection of “inaccuracy." (Harre, 2010). An exegetical analysis reveals that being off-target is more like a phrase that can bring adversity in the conflict because it asserts and highlights the inaccuracy of one of the participants or the whole of the group. In a conflict. There is an aggressive environment, where the tendency of devastation is the most significant thing and off the target can make an individual fall prey to lack of abilities or encourage the other opponent to be braver. While in the context of spectators, it will make the people associate negativity with the groups. The conflict would be either intensified or brought to a more negative end due to this connotation because there would be greater stress on the abilities to achieve accuracy and in conflict, accuracy is used in negative connotation with an aim to bring destruction or devastation. Another school of thought asserts, in the conflict being off-target can also bring positive expectations because if there is a situation in which one group is a victim to the danger caused by the other, here being off-target will create positive expectations that may either save lives or save the situation from getting worse. (Harre, 2010). Being off-target can bring both active and passive turn in communication. Where one of the side would either get encouraged or the other side could get depressed, deepening on the situation.
Reference
Harré, R., & Moghaddam, F. M. (2010). Words of conflict, words of war: How the language we use in political processes sparks fighting. Praeger.
Discussion 10
What do you think are the most important barriers that inhibit communication between people of different religions?
Stereotyped thinking is one of the most prominent barriers that is associated with communication in a religious context. In such a case, Islam is treated as one of the most violent religions, so it creates hindrance in effective communication. Similarly, the same approach of stereotyped thinking is empowered by mass media by promoting Muslims are cruel and less responsible towards Muslim girls that creates barriers in communication. (Orbe, 2013).
Hatred and negative approach is another barrier that is found to be evident when analyzing the communication barrier within religious contexts. (Orbe, 2013).It is significant to note that the attitude of people has changed because of the universal understanding of negativity in certain religions and beliefs that create barriers in communication.
How would you recommend overcoming those barriers?
Positive thinking and teaching reality by hiding negativity if it exist is the only solution that can be used to overcome the communication barriers. (Orbe, 2013).It is important to note that the perception of religion differs with experience and situation where, mitigating negativity and replacing it with positivity is a strategy that can address the communication barriers in religion.
Please share your specific experiences communicating with people from differing religious traditions.
Leaving behind a universal mindset, I have an entirely different experience of religion with different people. I found Muslims to be very friendly and calm personalities. I have met a lot of Muslims, and I never found them violent or brutal in fact, I found them equally close to humanity much like the other religions of the world. I saw them obeying their religion along with a respectful attitude towards the other religions of the world.
Reference
Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2013). Interracial communication: Theory into practice. Sage Publications.
Discussion 11
Recommendations
One must not create a difference in genders
One must treat everyone with equality
One must reflect compassion to everyone around
There is no space for workplace conflict
There is no justification for racial conflicts and racial discriminations
One should not consider other inferior
Every gender and race is equal in this world
There is no justification of molestation and harassment
One must resolve conflicts with justice and equality
There is no space for empowering and preferring one’s race over the others.
There is no commandment of human superiority, so, one should treat others with compassion and love.
None of the caste or religion is superior; all religions are based on humanity and equality.
One should avoid ethnocentrism
One should not be welcoming to cultural and gender stereotypes because there is no justification of psychological constructions.
One should not hurt other's self-esteem
Every individual is born free by nature, so no one has the right to enslave freedom.
These recommendations can be applied to all the areas of work and life, ranging from seeking education and treating neighbors to seeking a job and doing a service. It would not be wrong to say that these recommendations are the code of conduct that negates and ignores cultural, racial, and ethnic differences by promoting a peaceful and equal platform for everyone. These recommendations are suitable to address all personal, conscious, and unconscious biases that range from treating women with harshness to the gaps that create barriers in racial representation. (Orbe, 2013). Moreover, these recommendations also reject barriers in communication by giving everyone the right to speak and defend its self-esteem.
Reference
Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2013). Interracial communication: Theory into practice. Sage Publications.
Discussion 12
There are certain significant barriers that are associated with socioeconomic context. It is significant to note that there are certain and prominent barriers that reflect complications in terms of approach towards other people. (Orbe, 2013).
Capitalistic Fatalism
It refers to the authoritative complication that makes few people the source of authority and others are treated as the neglected group because of the economic status. Here economic status or power is termed as a feature that decides attitude towards the other groups.
Conservative Mindset
It is another barrier that is associated with the socioeconomic framework, taking into account the fact that a narrow approach towards humans and life will act as a tool that ill-treats others with ignorance and lack of importance.
How would you recommend overcoming those barriers?
Only realistic approach towards life and teaching rules that can help people negate biases can help people to overcome complexes associated with socioeconomic status. Moreover, these barriers can be overcome by actual realization of the world around, taking into account that not communicating due to lack of power is just an illusion that guides to immorality.
Please share your specific experiences communicating in your chosen area of diversity.
In my daily life, I encounter a number of examples that reflect communication barriers to materialistic success and failure. I saw managers misbehaving and treating others such as wardens and guards in an inadequate way just because of the lack of power. Moreover, one of the example and my experience was the house owner who is reluctant to talk appropriately with those who are living in his house due to his power status and this harshness reflects negativity with positive attitude as well. It makes us see all positive actions as rude. It would not be wrong to say that the barriers in communication due to socioeconomic status are very common and one of the most observed phenomena that create hatred for the upper-class people in the hearts of lower class
Reference
Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2013). Interracial communication: Theory into practice. Sage Publications.
