INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Intercultural Communication: A Course Reflection Essay Anita M. Majors Instructor: Undraye Howard COM-40164 Intercultural/International Communication November 11, 2013

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Intercultural Communication: A Course Reflection Essay Reflecting on what I have learned during this course, I must admit, it has been an interesting lesson on intercultural communication. I am clear on the fact that communication is fundamental to success in intercultural interactions. The fall 2013 issue of the Journal of Cultural Diversity published an article by Cynthia Kratzke, PhD, CHES and Melissa Bertolo, MSW, MPH on ways to enhance students cultural competence. Within the article the authors noted: Students must learn to examine their own cultural knowledge, values, and beliefs to enhance their cultural competence. I feel that completing this course has done just that for me. In addition, my comprehension of the effects of discrimination, the influence of popular culture and the conflicts that can occur, in both interpersonal and business relationship; has heightened my awareness. The insight gained from this knowledge includes: The challenges we face because of interpersonal, collective and institutional discrimination. How our choices around popular culture can shape our cultural identity. How conflict can result, from differing cultural attitudes, in the business environment.

This information will assist me in becoming a savvy participant in intercultural interactions throughout my life. Discrimination is described in the book Experiencing Intercultural Communication An Introduction (Martin and Nakayama, 2014) as The behavior that results from stereotyping or prejudice overt actions to exclude, avoid, or distance oneself from other groups. It means using prejudice against someone who differs from you. As an African American woman, I have been aware of the effect it has had on my life, as well as, on the lives of my ancestors. Nevertheless, it can be based on race, religion, sex, disability, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

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On an interpersonal level, discrimination can be very subtle; like crossing the street when a person of color is walking near you. Or, it can be blatantly exposed in the form of derogatory name calling and hate speech. This kind of discriminatory practice is the hardest to combat because people usually want to hide it. They may act as though it is not there, or, may even deny having any thoughts of bigotry. As a consequence of collective discrimination, the civil rights movement of the 1960s was born. The widespread exclusion of African Americans, from the American way of life, is part of the national grand narrative in the history of the U.S. Prejudice and unfairness, continues to deny American citizens of their civil rights. Because of institutionalized discrimination, in which the act of using prejudice against another is so entrenched, there are laws in opposition of it. Affirmative action laws remain in effect today, although they are under attack. Conservatives have sought to overturn a number of hard-won policy victories, such as affirmative action programs, non-discrimination laws for gays and lesbians, as well as immigrants' rights to education, welfare, and other social services. (R. Ellen, 2001) The values of the American people, is reflected in the laws to prohibit intolerance, but, also in popular culture. There is a saying: you are what you eat, which explains how the cultural texts that we seek out and utilize, or try to avoid, influences who we are. In other words; the popular culture products that we consume in our everyday lives, shape our identity as a people. So much so, that when we watch certain television shows, read particular magazines, and use certain popular culture products, it sends a message about the American culture. On the other hand, some groups resist this influence. They simply refrain from watching certain programs on television, nor use cell phones or engage in black Friday. Culture jamming, the act of resisting and re-creating commercial culture in order to transform society is

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embraced by groups and individuals who seek to critique and (re)form how culture is created and enacted in our daily lives. (Sandlin and Milam, 2008) In order to counteract the stereotypes depicted by popular culture, including consumerism; they are sending the message that this is not who we are. In the chapter entitled Intercultural Communication and Business (2014), we learned: The different attitudes toward work can lead to intercultural communication conflicts in the workplace. In collectivist societies like Japan, the customs around work and the workplace are very different from the individualist society, here in the U.S. Employees in collectivist societies value personal relationship over task achievement. In the U.S., however, it does not matter if you like your co-workers. What matters, here in the workplace, is achievement of the task at hand. Furthermore: For Americans, efficiency and getting the job done for the lowest cost are the ultimate goals. (2014) There are many differences affecting the global workplace, including; attitudes in work and material gain, quality versus efficiency, and language issues. As a student of intercultural communication, my plan to be savvy in my own interactions is to engage more with people of other cultures. As I interact within my community, I will be more open to communicating with all people. Even though I may not know the language, I can use what Ive learned about non-verbal messaging. Before I travel to another region within the U.S., or another country, I will use all the tools of new media to learn more about the customs and language of the place I want to visit. Meanwhile, my online interactions with other cultures will be easier to navigate. Following the knowledge achieved in this course entitled Intercultural and International Communication will be very beneficial in achieving my goal. In the end, I believe that it is possible for two people to communicate, even if they dont speak the same language. Authors Martin and Nakayama (2014) agree that: Thousands of

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nonverbal behaviors gestures, postures, eye movements, facial expressions, and so on involve shared meaning. Through non-verbal messaging and body language, it is possible to convey an idea to someone who speaks another language. In the building blocks to communication (2014) we learned that communication is symbolic. Furthermore, we learned that communication happens whenever meaning is ascribed to our actions, by another person. As I reflect back on this journey through knowing who I am in order to communicate more competently with others, it makes me very proud to be a student of intercultural interaction. Examining the importance of realizing my identity, the effects of discrimination, the influence of popular culture, and awareness of how conflicts can occur in interpersonal and business relationship, will be very beneficial going forward. For that reason, this course of study has enhanced my life. In conclusion, I proudly share this experience and my website Anitas Culture with my fellow classmates, my grandchildren, and, on the world-wide-web.

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References C. Kratzke, M. Bertolo (2013). Enhancing students cultural competence using cross-cultural experiential learning. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 20(3). Martin, J. N., Nakayama, T. K. (2014). Experiencing intercultural communication an introduction (5th ed.). New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Reese, E. (2001). Deepening our commitment, hitting the streets: a call to action. Social Problems, 48 (1) 152-157. Sandlin, J. A., Milam, J. L. (2008). Mixing pop (culture) and politics: cultural resistance, cultural jamming, and anti-consumption activism as a critical public pedagogy. Malden, MA: Wiley Periodicals, Inc.