Topic 2: The Tip of the Iceberg: Diversity Beyond Appearance
"This is just the tip of the iceberg", is a common saying used when our perception or understanding of something before us is incomplete. Depending on the tone of such a statement, others may interpret it with another saying, such as "There is more than meets the eye." These expressions reference the finite nature of our capacity as humans to grasp what our senses allow us to perceive. So are we always conditioned in our capacity to get the complete picture? In a podcast titled “Why Elephants hold the Key to Success in the 21st Century ?," Derrick Gay states: “in the war between fact and perception, perception always wins”.
Perception is the first step to making sense of the world around us. Through our senses, we come to know. What, then, does perception have to do with diversity? Going back to the first entry of Mindmapping, diversity refers to all those characteristics that make each individual unique. We are all diverse in the various facets of our identity as individuals. Sometimes these differences may not be apparent. Recognizing these differences may supersede our initial perception of others; acknowledging, engaging, and understanding them is not necessarily an easy task. Experiences in intercultural learning can inform and expand our understanding of those characteristics that ultimately bind us together through our shared humanity, but at the same time make us unique, such as beliefs, values, and perspectives.
Recognizing what makes us all different may be the first step to intercultural learning. Engaging with others through our diversities will foster a sense of inclusion; that is “the feeling of being heard, seen and valued for who we are” (Farque, 2021,p.5.). I think this is easier said than done; what may seem like this logical sequence of human reasoning and action (understanding we are all different - engaging and recognizing each other through these differences and thus fostering a sense of inclusion for all) could be naïve; these sequential steps may not play out in this manner in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Understanding does not necessarily lead to changes in behavior. When sharing with others on these topics, individuals can be at different points of a continuum: One end of the spectrum may be represented by a reluctance to acknowledge diversity, followed by a recognition of its presence and the other by a willingness to engage, understand and be, with everything else that may fall in between. Embracing diversity in the context of homogeneity requires an extra step in going beyond our perceptions to acknowledge those other aspects that shape who we are and make us diverse. It requires going beneath the iceberg:
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This image represents the richness and complexity of the diversity of others that may not be apparent through our perception. What is beneath the iceberg shapes and informs our actions, behaviors, thoughts, and feelings towards that and those around us. These are so deep within us that it may be challenging to understand their impact on us and how we interact and treat those around us. I believe that we have to try to "scratch beneath the surface" to recognize this distinctness in others that may not be apparent and be willing to learn from this interaction.
As I finish writing this entry, I am perplexed by what has occurred to Ralph Yarl. Ralph is a 16- year old African American boy who was shot when he rang the wrong doorbell; he made a mistake when he was picking up his siblings from a playdate and approached the wrong house. He is currently home recuperating. I think that Ralph was viewed through the “tip of the iceberg.” We need to learn to engage and come to know human beings beneath their surface. If fostering this is not an imperative for education then, what is?
I end with a question to continue wondering: What role can kindness play in engaging with others beyond the "tip of the iceberg?”
Thank you for reading.
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Very valuable information and input. Food for thought!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Powerful!!!
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine….what we could do, united as a community if we all scratched beneath the surface ….
Thank for engaging. Very poweful what we could be and accomplish as a community. It may seem daunting at first, but I think it can start with simple actions such as actually listening without reacting immediately with a response.
DeleteKindness definitely plays an important (if not a key) role in life, especially in education. It helps create bonds and trust, to further promote development of values, attitudes, beliefs and perceptions. Hopefully, in the future, we will manage to get everyone (educators, parents and children) to recognise this.
ReplyDeleteYes. It is my hope as well. Thank you for engaging.
ReplyDeleteI believe that kindness plays a fundamental role in the field of education, similar to the process of photosynthesis in plants. Being kind teachers to our students is like infusing them with vital energy, which fosters relationships and transforms a hostile environment into a significantly more cordial one. By perceiving our students positively, collaboration is encouraged. Furthermore, I can assert that kindness is contagious and represents a crucial element in both our personal and professional lives.
ReplyDeleteI completely share the thought that kindness can change the world, and we in our community are in a very special place to do so. This is the place where everything begins to project to society, where students learn how to behave in society. What we embed in our students is what we will see in the future. Kindness should surround every member of the community, it should be every where, it should be part of our culture.
ReplyDelete