Multicultural Reflection LGBT
Process Journal 3
Last week, during my routine volunteer activities on Thursday nights, a group member of the organization commented something to me that caught my attention. The organization is Pride and the group that I assist with is a gay men’s (young adult) group. There is one particular young man “Joseph”, who I describe as somewhat obnoxious, eccentric, loud and egotistical. Joseph identifies as a gay Haitian man. Joseph is the person, that when he speaks up in group, (which he is always doing) others begin to role their eyes. I can sense the tension in the group when he speaks and comments. This reflection though is not about others, it is about me. In fact, the judgments that I infer others to have, I have no evidence to support. The evidence that I do have is that these are my own judgments and interpretations of an individual. Furthermore, not only are they mine, but I have also assumed others to hold these same beliefs because it makes me feel more comfortable. Why am I speaking about this? Last week it was an evening that was very cold and group ended. I heard Joseph say that it was time to walk home. Within a few minutes I offered to take him home. He immediately accepted the offer. One of the reasons why I offered him a ride is because it fits with who I am. However, there were a few minutes between when I learned he needed a ride and when I offered the ride. Within that time span I contemplated whether or not I would offer the ride. To be brutally honest, if it was one of the other Latino or White guys I would not have blinked an eye. I would have been on that invitation in a heartbeat! But this was not the case and so I am left exposed to looking at myself and seeing the growth that continues to exist for me. So I ask myself, what is it that I am doing about this in my life? Awareness is one thing, but if the awareness is left idle, then it served no purpose. The fact of the matter is
Last week, during my routine volunteer activities on Thursday nights, a group member of the organization commented something to me that caught my attention. The organization is Pride and the group that I assist with is a gay men’s (young adult) group. There is one particular young man “Joseph”, who I describe as somewhat obnoxious, eccentric, loud and egotistical. Joseph identifies as a gay Haitian man. Joseph is the person, that when he speaks up in group, (which he is always doing) others begin to role their eyes. I can sense the tension in the group when he speaks and comments. This reflection though is not about others, it is about me. In fact, the judgments that I infer others to have, I have no evidence to support. The evidence that I do have is that these are my own judgments and interpretations of an individual. Furthermore, not only are they mine, but I have also assumed others to hold these same beliefs because it makes me feel more comfortable. Why am I speaking about this? Last week it was an evening that was very cold and group ended. I heard Joseph say that it was time to walk home. Within a few minutes I offered to take him home. He immediately accepted the offer. One of the reasons why I offered him a ride is because it fits with who I am. However, there were a few minutes between when I learned he needed a ride and when I offered the ride. Within that time span I contemplated whether or not I would offer the ride. To be brutally honest, if it was one of the other Latino or White guys I would not have blinked an eye. I would have been on that invitation in a heartbeat! But this was not the case and so I am left exposed to looking at myself and seeing the growth that continues to exist for me. So I ask myself, what is it that I am doing about this in my life? Awareness is one thing, but if the awareness is left idle, then it served no purpose. The fact of the matter is