COU 520 Final Pt. 2

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Southern New Hampshire University *

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520

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Sociology

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Apr 3, 2024

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Running head: FINAL PROJECT II Final Project ll Indira Jones Southern New Hampshire University COU 520: Diversity in Counseling Dr. Peter Boccone Date February 10, 2024

FINAL PROJECT II 2 Your Otherness There are a multitude of factors that contribute to who I am. I am a biracial woman, yet when you look at me you assume African American and instead of ever correcting anyone I keep quiet. Mainly because in my family that part of our identity isn’t discussed often times dismissed in order to show solidarity with other African Americans. You see I come from an environment where I’ve been taught early on that all of who you are isn’t good enough, and being too much of something isn’t good enough, and the only way to be good enough is to deny who you are to please others while slowly and silently killing yourself. Over 20+ years of my life I have tried to hide the fact that medically I can’t hear in one ear. So I read mouths to seem normal and I stand or sit in certain spots to ensure my right ear is towards whoever is speaking so that I can hear, and even then I don’t always hear or read the lips correctly. One of the biggest factors that contributes to who I am is being the baby sister to 5 siblings who are 20+ years older than me and a father who is currently 82 years old. These few factors that contribute to who I am created a lot of experiences that influence my role in society today. I’m currently a elementary school teacher where I not only teach children the core subjects but I teach them the importance, the power, and the beauty in being their unique selves as every part of who they are, who they were, and who they desire to become is love and appreciated. Part B My understanding of my own otherness, whether it be based on my ethnicity, culture, or any other aspect of my identity, significantly influences the way I interact with others in my community. Being aware of my own otherness allows me approach interactions with a sense of empathy, respect, and openness to learning. Empathy: Recognizing my own otherness helps me develop empathy towards who may have different experiences or backgrounds. It allows me to

FINAL PROJECT II 3 put myself in their and try to understand their perspectives and challenges. This empathy guides me to treat others with kindness, patience, and compassion. Respect for diversity: Understanding own otherness reminds me of the value of diversity in our community. It encourages to embrace and celebrate the differences among individuals, fostering an inclusive and accepting environment. I actively work towards creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed, heard, and valued3. Cultural sensitivity: Being aware of my own otherness helps me to culturally sensitive in my interactions. It reminds me that my own experiences may not be universal, and that cultural practices, values, and beliefs vary among individuals. I to approach cultural differences with curiosity, respect, and an open mind, avoiding or judgments. Interpersonal connections: Understanding my own otherness encourages me to seek genuine connections with others who may have different backgrounds. It motivates me engage in meaningful dialogues, actively listen, and learn from their experiences. approach fosters mutual understanding, trust, and stronger connections within the community. Advocacy and allyship: Recognizing my own otherness can also inspire to advocate for social justice and equality within the community. It pushes me to systems and structures that perpetuate discrimination or inequity, and to support marginalized groups through allyship and active involvement in social initiatives. Overall, understanding my otherness allows me to approach interactions with others in my community with empathy, respect cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to fostering positive change. It encourages me to be an active contributor to a diverse and inclusive community, striving for understanding, fairness and equality for all. Part 3 1 As a professional counselor, I anticipate my sense of otherness influencing my role in several ways such as cultural sensitivity, empathy and understanding, building rapport, and cross-

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FINAL PROJECT II 4 cultural communication. Cultural sensitivity: Being aware of my own otherness me to bring a heightened level of cultural sensitivity to my counseling practice. It me recognize and appreciate the cultural diversity of my clients, and approach them with respect and understanding. I can draw on my own experiences to better connect with clients similar cultural backgrounds, while also being open and willing to learn about and understand the of those from different cultures. Empathy and Understanding: Understanding my own otherness helps me develop a deeper sense of empathy and compassion towards my clients It allows me to better understand the impact of social and cultural factors on their, as I am familiar with the challenges and experiences related to my own identity. This understanding enables me to create a safe and supportive space where clients feel seen,, and validated. Building Rapport: Being conscious of my otherness enables me to connect with clients who may also feel like "others" in various ways. This shared understanding can help facilitate rapport and trust-building in the therapeutic, as clients may feel more comfortable opening up about their own struggles and experiences4. Advocacy: My own experiences of otherness may also motivate me to advocate for clients who are facing discrimination, bias, or inequality in various areas of lives. It can inspire me to be an ally and support them in their towards empowerment and social justice. Cross-cultural Communication: My awareness of otherness allows me to navigate cross- cultural communication more effectively. It encourages me to approach differences with curiosity, patience, and respect. I can adapt my communication style therapeutic interventions to align with the needs and preferences of clients from different cultural backgrounds. In summary, my understanding of my own otherness will impact my role as professional counselor by fostering cultural sensitivity, empathy, rapport, advocacy, and effective cross communication.

FINAL PROJECT II 5 Ultimately, it will contribute to creating an inclusive and supportive counseling environment that respects and values the unique experiences and identities of my clients. Your Biases. I do believe that these biases contribute heavily to the population that I intend on serving.As I’m currently the CEO of Brown Girls Heal Movement which a company that teaches women of color how to bridge the gap of who they are and the woman they want to become through the healing of childhood trauma. After obtaining my license I plan on continuing that work, however not opposed to expanding my clientele portfolio. Due to my personal moral values of treating people equally despite your differences I can confidently say that counseling a diverse population will be done in a non-judgmental ethical way. I can however conclude that due to my personal biases it could lead to a lot of ignorance in working with clients whose backgrounds aren’t similar to mine. My ignorance will not be where I become complacent, I will do research diligently and not use my clients as a personal tell all on their culture.two personal biases. My first personal bias is similarity bias which is when one chooses to work with individuals who are like you. My second personal bias is affinity bias which is the inclination to favor people who share similar backgrounds and expertise. Although I chose to associate myself with individuals who are like me and come from similar backgrounds, I could argue that it’s not a bias yet our oppression binding us together. Specifically, I surround myself by other African Americans, but arguably it’s that by choice? Or could it be that gentrification took over sands we were forced out of our neighborhoods? I’m not sure if that’s a true bias or a comfort and safety zone. Part C. Over the course of the term, my understanding of exclusionism and culture has evolved and deepened. Initially, I had a basic understanding of these concepts, through my studies and exploration, I have gained a more nuanced perspective.

FINAL PROJECT II 6 An area where my understanding has evolved is in recognizing the various forms of exclusionism. I initially thought of exclusionism in terms of overt discrimination or exclusion based on or ethnicity. However, I now understand that exclusionism can manifest in more subtle, such as through microaggressions, stereotypes, or systemic biases. I recognize that exclusionism can affect individuals on multiple levels, including race, ethnicity gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and more. My understanding of culture also expanded. I now recognize that culture encompasses much more than just ethnicity or nationality. It includes factors such as religion, language, values, beliefs, customs, traditions. I have come to appreciate the complexity and diversity of culture, understanding it is not fixed and can evolve over time. Additionally, I have become more aware of the intersectionality of culture, recognizing that individuals may hold multiple cultural identities shape their experiences and perspectives. Throughout the course, I was most challenged personally confronting my own biases and assumptions. This involved examining my own cultural lens and becoming aware of how it may influence my interactions and perceptions of others. It was challenging confront and address any unconscious biases I may hold, but it was a necessary in cultivating cultural competence and promoting inclusivity. I had to reflect on my own experiences and backgrounds, and how they could influence the way I understand and relate others. Overall, I have gained a deeper understanding of exclusionism and culture through and reflecting during the term. I have become more aware of the different forms of exclusionism and the diversity within cultures. This increased awareness has challenged me to my biases and strive for greater cultural competence in my personal and professional interactions.

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