Article # 9 University College of London: Non-Discriminatory Language
Article # 10 Charlton Heston: Winning the Culture War
Article # 14 Rochelle Hamilton: Let Students be Themselves
Article # 16 Betty Friedan: The Feminine Mystique
Article # 19 Robert Jensen: White Privilege
Djinni S. Yancey
April 12, 2011
Intercultural Communication
Com 2150
Mon, Wed, and Fri 12:00
PM
-12:50
PM
Instructor: Tamra K. Phillips

Article #9 University College of London: Non-Discriminatory Language
Description: Here is an article written by professors at University College of London , also known as UCL . In this article it helps people use the correct language in different forms of context. It states that it is important to use these more sensitive terms in order to avoid conflict or offense. It explains cultural diversity , disability , gender , and sexuality . It gives us a list of words to avoid and gives us several alternates to use in its place. It also talks about how printed material should look to read easier for a larger audience.
Interpretation: I believe this was written after several conflicts and careful consideration, to avoid future conflicts and offense. The words given to replace others are much more sensitive to the feelings of others with those labels. It would be safe to say that this is a list of words to help a person be more politically correct. Also, in the beginning it talks about print media and how it should look to be most effective.
Evaluation: I am thankful these changes have been made to our language, they are completely sensitive to the people they refer to. It is much more appropriate to see the abilities of the disabled, and that most jobs can be done by either gender. Many of the words we used to use gave negative labels, and awkwardness to others. It is nice to hear words such as mail-carrier, knowing that a female can do the job as well. I also like what I heard from one of our fellow students, that first we need to refer to the person, then the disability, showing that the person is more important than the disability For example say “The person who is crippled” instead of the “crippled person” realizing that they are a person with abilities and feelings first, that happens to be crippled. As I age and need to wear reading glasses, it is nice to know that some people try to make

their printed material easier to read, it makes perfect sense to use a 12pt font and non-glossy paper.
Reflection: The senior community are not always used to using the correct term, but can be gently reminded when they need to use it. It is sometimes hard to change a lifelong habit of using a more politically incorrect term. Also, I can try to remember to use these politically correct terms, avoiding offense at all times, especially at work. Being more aware of font size I can recommend using a larger font on some of the print media at the Senior Center.
Article # 10 Charlton Heston: Winning the Culture War
Description: This article is a speech given by Charlton Heston, in February 1999, in a courtroom at Harvard University Law School. Generally he talks about political correctness, mostly regarding culture. He shares a few personal experiences about how he has been misunderstood.
Interpretation: I believe Mr. Heston is saying stand up for what you believe is right regardless of risk, and not worry about being politically correct. He says that he walked with Martin Luther
King long before it was acceptable for a white man do so, regardless of the risk. He is angry that society and business would accept inappropriate actions such as the lyrics by Ice T in regards to glorifying cop killing, or when an eight year old boy gets dragged into court for sexual harassment after giving a peck on the cheek to a girl on the playground. When he says to be disobedient, I interpret that as standing up for what you believe.
Evaluation: In a lot of ways I believe Mr. Heston is justified in feeling the way he does about political correctness regarding culture. I firmly believe that more Americans should have cour-

age to stand together against many issues, although I believe most of us could try a little harder to know other cultures and avoid offending the opposite culture. Although, I say that we should try not to offend others, on the other hand we should not take offense when it was not the intent of the person giving it. We should be more understanding of one another and become more united as a people. Although we do not agree in some ways, we should try to be tolerant of one another and respect others rights. It is hard to always know which way is the current way of being politically correct and I believe as long as we show others that we are doing our best to be politically correct and not offend, that is enough.
Reflection: Working with the Senior Citizens, I notice some have a more difficult time being politically correct than others. Also I notice that many hold back in communicating with other cultures, not wanting to offend the other, but by doing so offend the other culture by seeming not interested in that culture. I see a lot of segregation among the seniors, although there is some mixing which is nice. I also notice that many seniors will share their opinion freely without worrying about political correctness, much like Mr. Heston, although still tactful, as strange as that may sound.
Article # 14 Rochelle Hamilton: Let Students be Themselves
Description: This article is a letter written by Rochelle Hamilton, a female who is from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, also known as LGBT. She wrote this after being harassed and discriminated against by her high school teachers and staff. She talks about her difficulties learning at school while being judged by her teachers. She says that her mom was very supportive and helped her contact the ACLU. She wrote this letter in hopes to get a new discrimination law since the previous one did not protect her.

Interpretation: What I believe she is saying, is that she should be treated fairly like all other students and have the right to be attracted to the same gender without a teacher or counselor judging her. She believes that there should be a new law written to keep LGBT students from being harassed or discriminated against. She hopes that through her action the President of the
United States will sign a new law protecting LGBT rights.
Evaluation: I feel that teachers and school staff should be held liable for discrimination and harassment and punished for such actions. People should have the right to love who they want as long as it does not interfere with teaching or learning. Although I do not condone the LGBT lifestyle, I do believe they have should have many of the same rights all Americans posses, especially dignity. I believe that no teacher should have the right to publicly harass or humiliate a student. I have been humiliated by a teacher before and it is very hurtful and unprofessional. I do believe we could amend a current law to protect LGBT rights, but feel that a new law could make it too complicated and unfair to other minority groups who do not have their own law.
Reflection: While working at the senior center, I have not encountered anyone who is openly
LGBT, although recognize there may be some in the senior community. Knowing this I do not make statements against them in public, I never know who might be listening. I do not agree with the LGBT lifestyle but have enjoyed friendships with LGBT people and allow them to live peacefully.

Article #13 Betty Friedan: The Feminine Mystique
Description : This Article is a brief summary of Betty Friedan’s first published book “The Feminine Mystique” first published in 1963. This book has been a very controversial book since it was published; it initiated a national debate and caused many people to take her thoughts into consideration. This book is Friedan’s most well-known publication.
In this book Friedan talks about how after attending a fifteen year college reunion, she discovered that women were unhappy and she gives a theory to why she believes they were unhappy.
Friedan often blames their unhappiness on the pressure society places upon women to become the ideal housewife and mother, giving up dreams of career and education. Much like she did after college in 1949.
Interpretation : “The Feminine Mystique” refers to the ideal image of women, as housewives and mother’s; society has created through magazine and newspaper articles over several decades.
Friedan uses the dialectical approach to convince the reader that her research findings are correct. Throughout this book, Friedan tries to influence the reader through various techniques.
She uses many first person accounts, as well as theories, statistics, and history. Her main focus was to change the ideal image of American women. She rejected the idea that women should be thought of only as housewives and mothers, although at one time she gave into the pressures of society to become a housewife and mother.
Evaluation : Not reading most of her book, I am not sure how she did her research, if the study group all attended college her findings would not represent all American women. I believe it is important to include women from a lot of different backgrounds, and ask them directly how they feel about their role as a housewife and/or mother. Much like Friedan, I believe women should

have all of the same rights men posses, and I respect her for reshaping attitudes toward women.
Although, I agree with Friedan that women should have the right to pursue a career and not be thought of in such an idealistic way, I do not agree with much of what I read from her book. I read chapter five, and I am confused, she seems to say that she agrees with Sigmund Freud’s theories, which I feel are very perverted. Much of what Sigmund Freud says, turn natural things into vulgar and warped thoughts. I am shocked to hear an educated woman such as Betty Friedan, take sides with Sigmund Freud, knowing he opposed women’s rights and talked about women in a demeaning way. I am thankful for women like Friedan, who have fought for women’s rights, so that today I can have the choice today to be all that I choose to be. I enjoy being a mother, it has always been my top priority, I also am excited to pursue an education and career, and it helps me achieve a higher self-esteem.
Reflection : Knowing a bit of the history as I have read from this book, can help me understand why some of the Senior Citizens may have a different ideal image of women and how I may or may not fit into that ideal image, as well as other women.
Article # 19 Robert Jensen: White Privilege
Description: Here is an article written by a professor of journalism about unearned white privilege in the United States. He talks throughout the article how many of the white Caucasian race do not acknowledge that they have unearned white privilege. He says there is nothing white people can do to give up their white privilege, just acknowledge the benefits. Mr. Jensen says it does not mean the white people are racist because they have this privilege. He says that the white people do not need to feel guilty about it, or proud because being white is something that cannot be change;. It is the way they are born.

Interpretation: Mr. Jensen is saying that the white people need to acknowledge the fact that they have white privilege. By acknowledging this privilege it can make them more sensitive to issues facing minorities.
Evaluation: I have noticed white privilege more after talking with minority friends. Some of the privileges I benefit from are not easily available to my friend who is from South America, as well as other minorities. She tells me how her accent on the phone gets her treated very differently in many situations. The list goes on, but it is too long to mention. I can understand what it is like to be a minority since I have lived in Hawaii, I was treated horrible for several years until
I adapted, although it was never as good as I get treated in Utah. My experience has made me more sensitive to the feelings of minorities around me, and I avoid boasting about my advantages around them. Some benefits seem minor until you realize what a blessing those benefits are. I feel bad for my friends, but not guilty. The more the white race realizes unearned white privilege, the more fair treatment minorities will get. Sometimes we just need to have a little empathy.
Reflection: I have reason to believe that the seniors from other cultures would agree, there is white privilege, although some white seniors would deny it. Seniors have experienced a lot of the changes in United States history and are always interesting to talk to when you want to know a little history.