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please make a 200 word response to each of the following. total of 400 words.
Mackenzie:
Hi, everyone!
The first challenge I chose is number two: find places where your cultural worldview and perspective is challenged and stay there. I was born and raised in a very small town, in which the population is almost one hundred percent Caucasian. While this upbringing is not solely responsible for my lack of cultural humility, it has played a large role in my current limitations when it comes to understanding and interacting with those from other cultures. Hook et al. (2017) explain that people tend to gravitate toward communities with shared cultural values and perspectives, and this has been very true in my life thus far. All of my close friends are White, Christian, cisgender, and heterosexual. After taking this course and completed the required readings, I am humbled at how little experience I have with people of differing cultures and worldviews from mine, and how many limitations I have detected in myself. This challenge is very important to me because I generally become anxious and uncomfortable when my worldview and perspective are challenged, but I know now that sitting in that discomfort and reflecting on it are key to changing it and pushing the bounds of your tolerance and comfort zone even further (Hook et al., 2017). I can implement this concept by stepping outside my comfort zone more intentionally, with the goal of listening and learning. This can look like furthering my personal education of other cultures, broadening my relational horizons by interacting more confidently with those different from me, and paying attention to the voices around me, especially those who speak out against things I believe, so that I can better understand them and their perspectives. According to Hook et al. (2017), real change and growth occur within the context of community and having relationships with real people, so that is where I will place value in my strive for cultural humility.
The second challenge I chose is number seven: refuse to dismiss or deny the perspectives of clients. To me, this challenge relates to challenge number two, in that my comfort zone typically requires me to ignore opposing perspectives. In a counseling relationship, this is incredibly unhealthy, and encourages quick judgments while blocking productive communication. If I want others to open up to me, I have to be more willing to open up myself, in the sense that my mind is nonjudgmental and receptive to whatever the client is willing to share. Sometimes there is no “right” answer, and to be truly effective, I need to let go of my defense mechanisms and be attentive, present, and empathetic to understand and relate to the person I desire to help (Hook et al., 2017). At the end of the day, a desire to help drives the relationship, along with the connecting factor that we are both human, imperfect image-bearers of a loving and gracious God. I can best implement this concept by practicing open-mindedness in personal and professional conversation, so that those skills are ready when I really need them. Another strategy would be to have an open conversation with the client about our value differences, with an emphasis on mutual respect, empathy, and prioritizing their perspectives throughout the therapy process, as described by Hook et al. (2017). If I truly believe that we are all made in the image of God, as equals, and are loved unconditionally as His children, and I do believe this, then I can respect and care for others while disagreeing with them. Treating others in love is one of the most significant callings of the Christian faith (Matt. 22:37-40), and I believe that without love we are empty (1 Cor. 13:1-3), because without God’s love we have no hope. I have learned a lot from this course and am very thankful for the new knowledge and perspective regarding cultural humility. I have enjoyed participating in these discussion threads with you all, and wish you the best in your future endeavors!
Zuleica:
The challenges that are meaningful to me are challenges 2 and 9. Challenge 2 states that I should place myself in an area that has a different culture (Hook, et al., 2017). I chose this challenge because it is something that I have been doing for a long time. As a counselor I need to know how to be around people that are different from me and what I know. Hook et al., (2017) states that people tend to gravitate towards others that have the same beliefs and values. This is true because it is what they know, and they have a connection to those beliefs and values. I grew up in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, and when I left that neighborhood and went to mostly White neighborhoods when I got older it was different and a little scary for me because I dealt with racism and prejudice before. I dealt with racism and prejudice from White people and that was something that I was afraid of, but even though racism was there I was still able to find people who were friendly and accepted me for who I was. I should not make assumptions about people because that is wrong and can be hurtful. It is difficult to put yourself in a position where you may not be comfortable, but you should still be respectful towards others and not make assumptions about them.
Challenge 9 states that we should hold ourselves accountable for our limitations once we recognize them (Hook, et al., 2017). One of my limitations would be that I tend to assume things about others before I meet them and get to know them. This is a limitation that I know I need to work on, and the fact that I can recognize it and try to understand where this is coming is a good thing. I think that the feeling of being uncomfortable is a reminder that as a person I need to do better. When you are uncomfortable you can become more aware of your limitations, and once you have become aware you can start to make those changes. As counselors we need to be aware of our discomfort around certain people because they can see how uncomfortable you are when you are with them.
