In Appendix B, Communication in a Multicultural Society and World, Gamble and Gamble state that the likelihood of working with people from diverse locations across the globe increase daily, therefore it is vital that we are willing to embrace diversity and learn to become multiculturalists. Throughout my life, I have interacted with people from a multitude of cultures and backgrounds. I know that as I continue to advance in my life and career endeavors, I will meet and network with an even more diverse group of individuals. Decidedly, I have elected to discuss cultural relativism and stereotypes.
Cultural relativism as defined by Gamble and Gamble is “the acceptance of other cultural groups as equal in value to one’s own.” Although I have never …show more content…
Stereotyping is something I refuse to partake in because as a Black woman, I can easily be characterized as being angry if I am outspoken or stuck-up if I am silent. One of the most memorable experiences I can remember with stereotyping was while I was in attendance at UNC Wilmington. During my freshman year, a few classmates and I decided to meet at the library to study for an exam and we’d scheduled to use a conference room. However, there was a group already in the room who’d stayed longer than scheduled. Taylor, a young lady in my class asked me to walk with her to ask them to wrap-up their study session and when I inquired why she wanted me to come with she said, “Because you can probably scare them away.” In a joking manner, I asked if it was because I was Black and she said yes and laughed. I tried to laugh it off, but her comment bothered me. I didn’t want my Blackness being equated to being scary. Most people who know me personally, are aware I keep to myself and don’t enjoy drama. I was never able to understand how even with my quiet demeanor and small stature I could intimidate someone just because I was Black. Consequently, it was difficult to converse and interact with Taylor as I was beginning to notice she made comments like that regularly. I just hadn’t noticed it because they weren’t typically directed towards
Cultural relativism as defined by Gamble and Gamble is “the acceptance of other cultural groups as equal in value to one’s own.” Although I have never …show more content…
Stereotyping is something I refuse to partake in because as a Black woman, I can easily be characterized as being angry if I am outspoken or stuck-up if I am silent. One of the most memorable experiences I can remember with stereotyping was while I was in attendance at UNC Wilmington. During my freshman year, a few classmates and I decided to meet at the library to study for an exam and we’d scheduled to use a conference room. However, there was a group already in the room who’d stayed longer than scheduled. Taylor, a young lady in my class asked me to walk with her to ask them to wrap-up their study session and when I inquired why she wanted me to come with she said, “Because you can probably scare them away.” In a joking manner, I asked if it was because I was Black and she said yes and laughed. I tried to laugh it off, but her comment bothered me. I didn’t want my Blackness being equated to being scary. Most people who know me personally, are aware I keep to myself and don’t enjoy drama. I was never able to understand how even with my quiet demeanor and small stature I could intimidate someone just because I was Black. Consequently, it was difficult to converse and interact with Taylor as I was beginning to notice she made comments like that regularly. I just hadn’t noticed it because they weren’t typically directed towards