Step Outside Your World

Adele Green

COMM/315

September 12, 2011

Brian Lempke

Step Outside Your World

As an individual who is able to aid others in seeking shelter, food, clothing, and life sustaining items, I have the opportunity to communicate with women and children from different cities, states and countries seven days a week. I am exposed to different cultures, traditions, beliefs, and behaviors. The individuals I assist or help find assistance appear to view me as this well dressed professionally groomed person without any flaws.

This activity was not a hard choice because in many ways I am different but the visible appearance others are use to will come off for this assignment. For this assignment I chose to expose an unforeseen experience during a fundraiser this weekend. I want to first mention I take pride in my appearance and I do not like to be embarrassed. At the fundraiser among people who have worked with me from the beginning of the organization and before hundreds of individuals who have chosen to take advantage of the resources Aiding Women and Children provide I displayed the bald head left from the chemotherapy treatments and removed the make-up that covers the burnt ashy skin left from the radiation treatments. The reason for choosing this activity was to hopefully inspire the women who complain they are not able to continue their education or get a job because of visible factors or factors others have no idea about. I do all of the chores I must do to keep a nice and tidy home with some help from my adult sons and husband who are in the military and gone most of the time. Additionally, last year I had to open my home to my three grandchildren and a set of twins who are in need of a loving nurturing environment. I chose this activity, to not only remind myself I am different in many ways but to also inspire others to strive to attain his or her professional and educational goals. Additionally to impress upon those who are able to provide for themselves to avoid depending on the government.

Although, my task was to be the spokesperson for this fundraiser I declined at the last minute because I was embarrassed about my appearance. No one other than my family members had seen me without some kind of head covering. The attention from the employees, volunteers, and participants was overwhelming and embarrassing because some of the individuals did not know if I simply decided to change my appearance because this hair do is acceptable for women or if I was gravely ill. The new participants seem to avoid me, stare, and whisper among themselves and when I noticed this I would wave or smile as a defense mechanism when I felt like I was being made fun of or mocked. There is always someone to help you take your focus off of the situation and this did happen. A gentleman approached me and said who is your barber and I could only laugh and say, “I do my own hair.” Throughout the day I received puzzled looks from the participants mostly but those who worked with me appeared not to be bothered. I did not know if this is because of my firm hand when leading or if they simply did not care. Ironically a female participant arrived on a scooter and it appeared as though she had scars from a fire. The line to sign up for resources was empty and one of the employees spoke to the middle-aged women and asked if she could assist her. But the lady appeared to ignore the volunteer and came to the table where I was assisting new participants. I could not help wondering if she felt she would be treated different by someone who also looked different.

I was uncomfortable at the fundraiser for more than one reason but mostly because I was concerned about what others were thinking and how I was going to respond to the questions on Monday morning. My daily appearance is business dress with the exception of Friday, which is business casual. Therefore, I am not accustomed to not wearing a head covering and I certainly never leave home without makeup because I barely have eyebrows or eyelashes. Additionally, was not use to the weird looks from men, women, and children. A lesson learned from this assignment was judging someone by his or her outward appearance and allow individuals to present who they are.

This experience will linger in my mind when hiring because I am quick to look at a hair style, tattoos, piercing, and clothing and not allow the person to volunteer within the organization but still interview them. The question in my mind when hiring an individual will be if he or she can do the job. This should not only be my focus as an employer but the focus of any organization who value employees with a diverse set of skills.

As an individual I do not deny I stereotyped others and I will not deny I thought this was okay. Ironically this type of behavior is not found when I communicate with children. I simply accept them for who they are but I seem to stereotype the adults. Unfortunately, it is a strong possibility I have turned someone away who really needed assistance based on hair styles and other visible factors. A fear I experienced during this activity was facing those I worked with after the fundraiser, so to avoid questions I have decided to where my new style going forward.

References

Bucher, R., & Bucher, D. (2010). Opening our minds to people, cultures, and opportunities (3rd ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.