Reflections


Heymee Herrero

EDF4604

Critical and Creative Reflection 6

With the recent presidential election, many people are on edge about what the future may hold. In this video, Ta-Nehisi Coates talks about the importance of paying attention to what is happening in the world around us. He urges people to be proactive and to work towards creating a better future for everyone. Coates begins by talking about the election of Donald Trump. He notes that many people were surprised by the outcome, but he was not. He explains that he has been paying attention to the current political climate and he could see the writing on the wall. He urges people to not be complacent and to be aware of the things that are happening in the world.

He explains that we need to imagine a better future in order to create it. He urges people to use their imaginations to envision a world that is free from hatred and bigotry. He talks about the importance of fighting for what is right and of working towards a future that is more just and equitable for all.

In conclusion, Coates urges people to pay attention to the world around them and to work towards creating a better future. He explains that we need to be proactive and to fight for what is right. We need to use our imaginations to envision a better world and then work towards making it a reality.

The ability to watch and understand what is happening around us can be significantly impacted by selective attention, cultural bias, and unconscious bias.  Selective attention is the process of focusing on certain aspects of a situation while ignoring others. This can cause us to miss important information that could be crucial to understanding what is happening. Cultural bias is the tendency to interpret information in a way that is influenced by our own cultural background. This can lead us to misunderstand or misinterpret what we see happening around us.

Unconscious bias is the tendency to make judgments about people or situations without realizing it. This can cause us to form inaccurate impressions and conclusions about what is happening, which can impact our ability to watch and understand the situation. It can be difficult to really see others, especially when we are wrapped up in our own lives and experiences. However, there are some things we can do to prep ourselves to be better watchers and listeners. First, we must exercise patience. This means giving the other person time to speak, and not rushing them. Second, Nonverbal indicators are important to pay attention to. This includes things like gestures and body language. Third, we should actively listen. This means not only hearing what the other person is saying, but also trying to understand their point of view.

Additionally, it can be helpful to try to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes and to avoid making assumptions. When we take the time to prep ourselves in these ways, we are more likely to be able to really see others. This can be a valuable experience, as it can help us to connect with others and to understand their perspectives.