John Edward Terrell Ph.D.
Facedown Living
444
Perception Wins: A Tale of Two Echo Chambers
Turning the tables: Diversity helps us navigate controversy and polarize our beliefs
Posted May 01, 2021
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Reviewed by Lybi Ma
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THE BASICS
Why Diversity Is Important
Find a therapist near me
Since the commencement of the pandemic, I have dedicated myself to learning how others are using the power of diversity to navigate the storm in our country. As I anticipate both the challenges and opportunities of this new chapter, I take it as an opportunity to acknowledge and honor the shared humanity that exists for all who are non-white and black, like myself.
I also want us all to acknowledge that not every interaction will be a positive experience. In fact, the opposite is true. While we should strive for excellence, there also are opportunities for us to be ignorant and selective in whom we engage. Holding these perspectives against us gives us a cross-road to tread. It is not easy to walk with humility and empathy towards others who are different or pushing us in a different direction. These interactions could be unproductive or potentially productive (to me), and again, depending on our backgrounds and personality systems, are worth somebody's time and energy.
Speak Up
This time last year I gave several speeches to non-profits and community groups about diversity, and I was very thankful to the Detroit Free Press for the opportunity to give a limited amount of material to the public. They always seem to get it more than I do.
This year I’ve been traveling, reading, and speaking to speakers on all sorts of topics. While some speeches were interesting and well-calibrated, I’m not sure what others had in mind for racial justice.
Here’s what I sent to them this week:
What else do you want to tell me?
In your opinion, what has been so vital to cultural appropriation in your communities?
I’ll be interested to hear about this. Thank you for letting me know.
I’m curious about your opinion.
Dear Dr. Nemko,
I majored in social psychology this year as well. I have some experience with this myself. I worked with youth and loved ones in therapy as they journeyed through their own journey from afar and found meaning in their own lives.
In the time since the election, I have been reflecting on what these social movements—as diverse as they are in the US and around the world—have taught me:
That humans are each–and always have this ability to create and reflect upon themselves
That bats are pretty terrible, and we are better than that
That my grandpa would be proud of me if I ever found the means to be a teenager.
I have even encouraged others to create and reflect upon their own practice of taonga: things that involve repetitive acts of kindness and anthropomorphism. This DIY practiced and shared acts of kindness not only bring co-creativity and beauty to the lives of others but foster this kind of emotional connection within us. I always appreciated how my friends who adopted me started a good word in me.
Which brings us to the current situation:
We are living in the greatest change period in my lifetime. If I may be frank, it’s because the past four years have been earth-shattering.
The truth is, 2020 and 2021 are really the only years this side of my life I can remember sitting with or looking at.
I had to get my act together and not be my voice.
So I did, and I am, as the saying goes. I created my act together.
Listen to me on YouTube.