COU 520 Final Pt

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Southern New Hampshire University *

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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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