Think Before You Speak

We were making a great headway in today's International Week session "Am I the Only One?"...when the fire alarm went off. When we arrived, we were immediately thrown into an activity to break the ice and make people chat with others whom they did not already know. The idea behind the game was to see if you are able to find common ground with someone who looks completely different from you.

After everyone was done and were back in their seats, we listened to a panel talk about their experiences of feeling alone and questioning '"Am I the only one?" Listening to the stories of how the panelist had to learn how to accept multiple identities and yet not be the only representative when they were in the minority was sobering. One student talked of being discriminated against because of being Iranian and Christian. Another student went from an HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities) to an Ivy where she did not feel respected, and being confused with the one other Latina in her program. The last student talked about how she had to learn to live with her identity of being a Saudi woman in America who does not adhere to traditional customs that you would find in Saudi Arabia. However, she said when she goes back she is completely espouses what a traditional Muslim woman is "supposed to". It was fascinating to hear the strength and reconciliation of their multiple identities.

The biggest thing I took away from this session is something that I honestly feel I was brought up with. Every person can have their own identity, but is important to listen; approach every interaction as a teachable and learn-able moment. If you are cloaked in aggression, the likelihood you will be listened too is low. But if you are assertive, yet accommodating, the conversation will go much smoother. Being cognizant of what you are representing is just as important as how you are representing it. And acknowledging that you are not able to speak for everyone except for yourself, is the most important way to communicate.