Cultural Training Part 1...

I have coached multicultural and diversity training for several people. The underlying comment that forces the uncomfortable talk is the perception of fault & the resulting attitude.

For example:
Asian Woman makes a comment that generalizes black people as lazy. Black woman says that offended me. White woman states, "This is why I don't make comments in these types of seminars. Everyone is so sensitive & now if Isay anything Iwill be seen as a racist!"

Black Woman is offended by this comment, but doesn't say anything to White Woman for fear that she will be seen as "bitter". White woman continues to feed the ill gotten attitude & intolerance festers without addressing the original concerns of offense. The topic has shifted from the action or statement that causes the ill feelings to the feeling itself.

In this instance... I challenged everyone in the room to be sensitive... to others & themselves. If you are offended, you would like for the other person to acknowledge their offense, make amends and move forward. If you say something to a friend, regardless of ethnicity and/or cultural background, and it offends them and they mention it to you; would you make sure the situation is resolved. Would you blame them for being sensitive or offended by your words or actions. Generally speaking, NO... as a friend you would do everything in your power to apologize to your friends and make them understand you meant no harm. This attitude should be no different when you interact with strangers.

Asking someone to come to your house is not the same as visiting them. By this I mean, don't use the additive " I have _____ friends, or I invited a _______ person to my house." This does not excuse you from stepping out of your bubble of comfort to experience another zone! You may have black friends... but are you a friend to them. You may have invited a homosexual to your birthday party, but have you attended birthday party for them.

I know, birds of a feather flock together. We as people are naturally attracted to people that we admire for some quality... usually a similar physical trait. The goal is to go beyond the surface to see that we are all the same crap underneath! Bones, blood, & a human connection!



LaKisha Geans
Media & Public Relations
GeanPool Consulting
www.GeanPoolPR.com

Listen... To Be Heard!