The Context of Comments

My department had a staff retreat yesterday. Towards the end of the day, we had a session on cultural competency. Working for a school district full of diversity, a session like this can always be a great reminder to even those who feel they are aware of perceptions and avoid judgements. The presenter, Dr. Caprice Hollins (<----- amazing if you ever get the chance to hear her speak, a gentle but powerful presenter), had one line that resinated with me. I am paraphrasing a bit, but she explained that you must understand one's comment by the context of their experiences. How true is this? Seriously. If this were applied to most exchanges it may alleviate so many of our misunderstandings. More importantly, it gives the benefit of the doubt, the ability to lose judgement, and the empowerment of the person you are making and exchange with. It honors what people have gone through, and allows for there to be difference between people.

xoxo,

Mrs. Kosko